First Child, First Christmas She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:7 It was the very first Christmas but it was far from being an ideal celebration. Mary was about to give birth to a child, an unexpected pregnancy that brought about much ridicule and questions of her fidelity to her future husband. It came after a surprise visit from an angel who told her she would carry the Son of God in her womb without any physical contact with a man but come from the Holy Spirit. If it werent for an angels visit, Joseph would have divorced her. Now, as the days were nearing for her to give birth, Caesar Augustus declared a census which meant going back to her hometown of Bethlehem. Fortunately for her, Joseph would be traveling with her being from the lineage of David as she was. The travel would be difficult for his pregnant wife but they had no choice but to go. That was hard enough for the young mother to be but to reach Bethlehem with no place for them to stay for delivering their first child, it would test the faith of this chosen couple. Im sure Joseph and Mary prayed for a place to stay in but there was no miracle to come in answer to their prayers. There was an opening, finally, but it would be in a stable where the animals were kept. This was Gods response to their request, inconvenient and less than ideal, but a place to stay nonetheless. I wonder if they said, Thank You, Lord! Maybe they did because the lodging wasnt the issue anymore. They were just glad they had a place for Mary to give birth. After months of waiting, along with the difficulties that came with it, Mary gave birth to Jesus, the Son of God in the flesh, just as the Lord had promised! All the hardship was worth it! As soon as she was able, she took the child, wrapped him in the best baby clothes she could put together, and placed him in a manger. Later, the child would have visitors in the form of shepherds who knew about the childs birth. They were so excited to be there and bear witness to this great event which the Lord so graciously invited them to attend. Without social media to spread the word, the shepherds went out and told everyone the old-fashioned way—by word of mouth. Everyone was amazed to hear this news from the shepherds! As these things were happening, Mary contemplated everything that had just happened. “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart (Luke 2:19).” Maybe they heaved a sigh of relief at the end of that day. But more than anything, I believe they were more than ecstatic that their child was born, the Savior of the world, the one they would name Jesus, because He would save His people from their sins. Everything was going wrong for Joseph and Mary that first Christmas; except everything was going according to God’s plan. Perhaps you’re celebrating Christmas during less than favorable circumstances. Maybe you can relate to Joseph and Mary who were praying for good things to happen but none would go their way. It’s time to look at Christmas from a different perspective. Celebrate it today with the understanding that Christmas is not about you or your circumstances. It’s about God’s will happening according to God’s plan. Merry Christmas, everyone!
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 14:19:28 +0000
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