I was at a Christmas celebration at a friend’s house and one of the activities included naming favorite Christmas gifts we’d received over the years. Some mentioned a grand material gift they’d received; while others were more non-material; more abstract gifts.
`Being with family’ was one gift which often was shared, as was grand children; or even the gift of a wonderful home church and friends. Children in the room mentioned a dog they’d received or a long awaited horse. Health made the list, as did the feelings of joy and peace.
That first Christmas long ago makes me wonder what Mary might have listed as her favorite gift. Granted the celebration of Christmas hadn’t even yet been begun; but imagine what she would have considered her favorite gift the year after Jesus’ birth, or the second or third year later.
It must have been emotional for her to know that she carried God’s Son. In the song ‘Mary Did You Know’ there’s a line that says, “When you kissed your baby boy, you kissed the face of God”. That singular line can make me weep. Can you imagine the awe of cuddling her baby as she kissed his tiny head or cheek and looked into those baby eyes?
As a mom, I remember when my children were tiny babes, being overwhelmed with love as I looked into their tiny faces. And when they smiled at me, I melted. Can you see Mary’s heart doing cartwheels as Jesus looked at her and smiled? Consider the gifts Mary must have been grateful for. She was given the gift of raising Jesus on this Earth. What a responsibility, as all parents have, but what an exclusive, exquisite joy--this was God's Son!
As I reflect on this Christmas, I am in awe of the gift God gave us in the Messiah, Baby Jesus in the manger. We were given the gift of Salvation through him and then he was the gift of Sacrifice only 33 years later on the cross, for each one of us. This truly is the greatest gift of all.
Jesus is the reason for the season!
Merry Christmas, everyone!
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