Thank you. You have written of an improbable - but powerful - truth, not just of Jesus's way but also of the way he calls us to walk. Thank you for this reminder.
From the earliest of times I remember the Bible stories of Jesus in a manger, the shepherds, and the wise men. And in the pictures depicting this scene are two people closest to that manger - Joseph and Mary.
As a young woman and learned more about this young virgin, Mary, even then the stories were focused more on the child she carried. Nothing about how she was most likely ostracized and shamed for being pregnant out of wedlock.
As I am in my older years, I am thankful that writers, like you Scott, are also focusing on what the emotional strain must have been to live and witness what Mary witnessed from a young teenage girl to a young woman.
I am thankful to you for the end of your story. That now Mary witnesses her Son reigning on high as the Son of God, but also the Son of Mary.
Thank you Scott for the reminder of who Christ is and what we should be cultivating. This year has included one crisis after another for our family. Just as we have recovered from one, another one rolls in. We have experienced family members being hospitalized with suicidal thoughts, a grandson’s near fatal car accident (a broken neck was just one of his injuries), a brother surviving blood clots in his lungs from surgery complications, the fracturing of our son’s marriage, another grandson’s deep drug addiction ( now in rehab in another state), being caught in hurricane Helene as we tried to take a much needed vacation, and in late October, my own tumble down a flight of stairs resulting in a broken leg and 6 weeks of immobility. As I literally limp into this Christmas season, I confess to being overwhelmed and exhausted. But as I have had time to “be still”, to reflect on God’s presence with us through all of these things, and His faithfulness to us. So I have chosen to focus on Him this year …. I have made the nativity the focus of our decor instead of putting up a Christmas tree. This coming Sunday we will gather our family to celebrate Christmas. We will come together to celebrate each other as we have made it through all of this. There will be a few empty seats at our table and we will grieve together, but we will also offer God praise and thanksgiving as we have firm evidence that He had walked through this year with us. We will honor Him as we immerse ourselves in the treasure He has given us as a family. And we will determine to cling to Him in hope! As you have said, He is faithful and He will not abandon us.
Just beautiful. Thank you. ❤️
Thank you. You have written of an improbable - but powerful - truth, not just of Jesus's way but also of the way he calls us to walk. Thank you for this reminder.
From the earliest of times I remember the Bible stories of Jesus in a manger, the shepherds, and the wise men. And in the pictures depicting this scene are two people closest to that manger - Joseph and Mary.
As a young woman and learned more about this young virgin, Mary, even then the stories were focused more on the child she carried. Nothing about how she was most likely ostracized and shamed for being pregnant out of wedlock.
As I am in my older years, I am thankful that writers, like you Scott, are also focusing on what the emotional strain must have been to live and witness what Mary witnessed from a young teenage girl to a young woman.
I am thankful to you for the end of your story. That now Mary witnesses her Son reigning on high as the Son of God, but also the Son of Mary.
Thank you Scott for the reminder of who Christ is and what we should be cultivating. This year has included one crisis after another for our family. Just as we have recovered from one, another one rolls in. We have experienced family members being hospitalized with suicidal thoughts, a grandson’s near fatal car accident (a broken neck was just one of his injuries), a brother surviving blood clots in his lungs from surgery complications, the fracturing of our son’s marriage, another grandson’s deep drug addiction ( now in rehab in another state), being caught in hurricane Helene as we tried to take a much needed vacation, and in late October, my own tumble down a flight of stairs resulting in a broken leg and 6 weeks of immobility. As I literally limp into this Christmas season, I confess to being overwhelmed and exhausted. But as I have had time to “be still”, to reflect on God’s presence with us through all of these things, and His faithfulness to us. So I have chosen to focus on Him this year …. I have made the nativity the focus of our decor instead of putting up a Christmas tree. This coming Sunday we will gather our family to celebrate Christmas. We will come together to celebrate each other as we have made it through all of this. There will be a few empty seats at our table and we will grieve together, but we will also offer God praise and thanksgiving as we have firm evidence that He had walked through this year with us. We will honor Him as we immerse ourselves in the treasure He has given us as a family. And we will determine to cling to Him in hope! As you have said, He is faithful and He will not abandon us.
Mercy. What a year you have had. I pray Jesus will hold you close.