This is a very special Christmas for us this year. I'm sitting here just days before Christmas and I'm 9 ½ weeks pregnant. I'm disappointed that the baby has not yet come by now but it looks like he/she is not budging! I must admit, I'm growing weary. In this last week, the baby has moved into position putting pressure on my sciatic nerve and causing me to not be able to walk very well. I'm trying to stay "Cheerful" but it's really hard to do when you feel this way. My husband, being the Prince that he is, came home with an early Christmas present. He bought me a Nativity Snow Globe filled with sparkling glitter. It's very beautiful and I find myself turning it on every second I get. I am mesmerized by the way the globe blows the glitter around and it reminds me of that cold, snowy night when Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem and delivered the baby Jesus, the reason for this season. Mary must have been an amazing woman- to have been chosen to carry the Christ Child. Luke 1:30 says that Mary found "favor" with God and I've always wondered, how does one find true "favor" with God? I bet she never complained throughout the entire time traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem. When I have to go somewhere these days, I get inside my cushiony car with the nice warm heat blasting but Mary rode on a donkey. When I get weary, I sit on this comfy, cozy gliding chair with a heating pad pressed up against my back, Mary rested in a stable and she laid down in the hay. When it's time for me to give birth, I will be given medicine to help aid with the pain of child birth, Mary went all natural! As a VERY pregnant woman about to give birth looking at Mary's situation, I'm not sure I can honestly say I could handle that but I think I figured out "how" she found "favor" with God. Mary never complained, she was just obedient, and did what God was calling her to do, no matter how embarrassing it was to be pregnant and not yet married, no matter how stressful, no matter how painful, no matter how impossible, no matter how confusing it must have been….. Mary found favor with God and she inspires me to become a better woman of God, no matter how difficult it may seem sometimes. I know this child I'm carrying is going to mean a lot to many people. He/She is the first grandchild on both sides and our Sisters' first time becoming "Aunties". I can't imagine all of the joy this child is going to bring into my home. I'm so anxious and excited. Little did Mary know the joy her baby boy would bring to the entire world! I'm so thankful that she chose to endure all that she did, so that I can live eternally through her Son, the Son of God, The Son of Man, the Prince of Peace, the Mighty God, and the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ our Lord…………………...........................................................
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!................................
God bless you this year and always,