Taking the nativity pieces from the box, I begin to place each one in their places. Thoughts stir about the time I gave birth to my firstborn. Holding my baby, in the middle of the night, she was swaddled and sleeping. The flood of emotions overtook me, and the tears flowed.
She was healthy.
She was here.
Ten toes and ten fingers.
A whole life held on my lap, neatly and tightly wrapped.
So much potential and promise lay in front of me. And that is what scared me to death. What was I thinking when I thought it would be fun to have children? What was I thinking when I thought I would be able to parent and do it well?
The weight of the responsibility now before me, completely bore down on me in the stillness of that first night. The only thing that I could see clearly through my tears was my inexperience and my inadequacies.
All I could whisper and choke out was the short prayer, “Lord, please help me!”
Did Mary feel the same way the night that she held her first born son, swaddled and neatly wrapped in her arms? Did she feel overcome with the sense of responsibility that she would raise the long awaited Messiah? Could she recognize all the potential and promise that she held?
I am overwhelmed with this thought.
Because of the birth of Jesus, my Savior, every promise that was given is fulfilled.
“For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.”
(2 Corinthians 1:20 NASB)
May we rejoice in another promise:
“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
(Isaiah 9:6, NASB)
It was to us that He was born. It was to us that He was given.
And it was for us.
All for us.
Each Christmas season may find us in a very different place than the one before. Yet, God is the One who calls us to Himself in every season. In her post, 5 Ways to Gain Peace this Christmas Season HERE, Lisa Blair reminds us to let God show us what our focus needs to be, for then, His peace will fill our hearts and minds.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Image by Deborah Hudson from Pixabay
‘Because of the birth of Jesus, my Savior, every promise that was given is fulfilled.’
Joanne, what an awesome truth to simply sit with. Who can even begin to comprehend the depths of this gift of immense love.
Christ the Savior is born. And He is coming yet again!
I remember that joy & concern with my first born too Joanne.
Blessings, Jennifer
Joanne, you captured the feeling of a new mom with her newborn well. And thank you for the post highlight.
I remember feeling so inadequate, too, when my children were born. I imagine Mary felt even more so, raising Jesus. I’m so thankful for God’s grace and help.
What an unfathomable blessing that every promise is fulfilled in Him.
What a beautiful parallel, Joanne! Mary must have felt so overwhelmed as most new mothers do… “Lord, help me!” I’m not sure I’ve ever uttered that phrase more often than I did as a brand new mom!
Such a beautiful reflection, Joanne, even now that my children are adults, I still feel inadequate as a mother apart from God’s grace and strength. I cannot even imagine how much greater Mary’s fear in birthing and nurturing the Son of God!
I can’t imagine how she felt holding her baby knowing His Father was God and that her baby would save His people from their sins!
There’s no way to capture the wonder of the incarnation without some time spent in quiet reflection! Thank you for sharing yours and encouraging us to do likewise.
This is beautiful, Joanne. I’m so thankful that Mary was willing to bear and rear the Messiah. What a journey through motherhood she had. And what a wonderful example she is for us, at any stage of parenthood.
We can only imagine what Mary was thinking…your post gives us a beautiful glimpse!
This is beautiful, Joanne. I just can’t imagine what Mary must have felt. I’m always awed by how she opened her heart and life to God even though she was afraid. Thank you. Love and blessings of a wonder-filled Christmas!