A Christmas Thought...

I've been having a bit of a pity party for myself during this Christmas season.  The peace and tranquility I tried to create for myself and my family just didn't happen the way I had imagined it.  Funny how that goes, right?  You get a picture in your head of how something should be, and then get disappointed when it doesn't happen that way.  Instead of family evenings spent at small Christmas markets or even a trip to our piazza to see the Nativity, the past several weeks have been filled with Greg working late nights and leaving in the early morning.  There have been several days at a time where the kids haven't seen him at all.  In the meantime, the kids and I have been doing our own thing, which has included advent activities, but they weren't part of the family time I had imagined.  I wanted our usual family dinnertime around the table discussing our favorite part of the day (which has now resorted to a speaker call to Greg so he can participate) and then gathering together to discuss the Advent story/activity for the evening.  It wasn't until this morning (while Greg was still asleep since he didn't get home until 2:30am and the kids were watching t.v.) that it dawned on me I didn't know about true inconvenience and disappointment.

I was staring down at my large pregnant belly and thought about how I would react if Greg came home to tell me he was going to hoist my large behind on a donkey, make me ride for several days, then I would give birth in a barn.  With animals.  And itchy hay.  AND my baby would have to sleep in the feeding trough.  Umm, not so much.

Yet, Mary, in all of her discomfort, aggravation, disappointment, and life interrupted had a heart full of worship and peace.  A heart focused on the glory, the plan for her life, and the Savior she had the honor of calling son. 

 And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,  and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.  For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.   And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.   He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.   He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,  as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his       offspring forever.”  Luke 1:46-55

So, on this Christmas Eve, I will rejoice!  It's not about me, it's not about missed family time, my interpretation of what a peaceful season is, or what I think the season should look like.  It's not about my disappointment or the pity party I was about to throw for myself.  It's about the sweet anticipation of a Savior who came in the most humble way, as a baby.  It's about what his life and death means for me, that though I am unworthy of what Jesus did for me, he continuously shows me grace and mercy.  When times seem rough, I will remember, "... for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name."

Merry Christmas!