The piles of torn paper and empty boxes is a scene that played out in millions of homes worldwide. The joy and the laughter, the hugs and kisses, the thank-yous and oooh’s and aaaah’s are still fresh in our memories.
Face-to-face conversations and loving words exchanged over the phone were all added bonuses of the day.
I’m sitting here this morning recalling the texts, the sounds of loved ones voices, the snuggles, all the details of the day and I imagine Mary did the same.
Every one of us mothers can remember what it was like to wake up the day after one of our children were born. We spent time going over in our heart the emotions of the day, those that came to visit and once again holding that tiny child in our arms – counting every finger and toe. Kissing the top of their head, holding them tightly and marveling at the life of one so small.
Imagine what must of have going through Mary’s heart that morning after Christ’s birth. She was in a stable, with a man who had showed her unconditional love and holding a child in her arms who was God’s gift to mankind. How blessed – how in awe!
“ They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.” Luke 2:16-19 NLT
The life ahead of Mary was new and uncharted territory. She had never been a mother or a wife before. So much about her life was changing. Her Son was the promised Messiah! How do you raise the Son of God? Yes, there was so much to ponder. She would need to be dependent upon God for His help and instruction.
What will we “ponder” today? Is it the travel home, the new job after the first of the year? Maybe there will be a medical procedure that you’re dreading.
Is Christmas over and now we go on with the daily routine or will we be like Mary and realized that we need a greater dependence upon God for the days ahead?
Let’s take time to be thankful that Christmas has life changing, glorious meaning for every day of the year!