Christmas Reflections

We've been really trying to teach the boys the true meaning of Christmas.  Now they do know what Santa says, and we're working on actually saying "Merry Christmas."  They are enamored with the presents under the tree, and for some reason think they all belong to "Uncle To-dy!"  But we really want them to know that first and foremost Christmas is about the greatest treasure we could ever find, an innocent baby named Jesus, fully man and fully God, coming to die for us all to offer the free gift of salvation.

I found an advent story that Noel Piper wrote that has been an amazing teaching tool.  Every day it adds a piece of the nativity story with a new character we add to an advent calendar.  The boys love it.  They have learned some of the main characters already like Mary, Joesph, and the shepherds (they really like these guys).  We've also learned new animal sounds, so unless you want to be sprayed I would avoid asking them what a camel does.  :)

I have had several opportunities to think about the characters involved in that first Christmas, and this year I have really been thinking about Mary.  I think motherhood makes you do that.  If I had the opportunity to talk to her I have several questions....

• What was it like to care for a tiny infant completely dependant on you, and yet still know that this was the Messiah you had been waiting for?  The very Messiah who ultimately you would depend on for your salvation.
• One of the greatest joys I have as a mom is watching my boys grow and discover on a daily basis.  Did Jesus grow in His discovery of who He was, or did He seem to always know?  What about the world around Him (which He created), did He have to discover anything or did He already know how it all worked?
• What is it like to raise a perfect child, and allow Him to see your mistakes?
• How did you handle knowing that ultimately He would lay down His life for you and all of man kind?
• What were some of the biggest lessons He taught you?
• Was there sibling rivalry and how did you handle that?

I cannot even begin to imagine the role that God asked Mary to fill.  Her faith and humility completely amaze me!  One of the biggest blessing I have is getting to be a mom, as imperfect as I am.  Daily I cling to God's grace as I teach, model, love & discipline our boys.  I can't help but think that parenting Jesus, caused her to cling to the Lord more than she had ever done before.  She must have felt even more inadequate than most of us moms feel.  Yet she never doubted His plan for her life, or complained that it was just too hard.  She didn't argue or protest.  She simply accepted His call on her life, and praised God for who He is.  My prayer is that I can look at the plan God has called me to and as Mary, confidently walk through it proclaiming "for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant....for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name."