On this very special day of the year, I always stop and think of a night so long ago during a time that I can only fathom because of the books I’ve read and the Bible stories I’ve heard. And this year, when I’m pregnant with our second son, I think even more about Mary.
She was young- probably 16 years old. And she was a young girl of incredible faith. Now that I know the toll that pregnancy takes on your body, I think of her and how she experienced all of these things during of time of no doppler machines to hear the heartbeat and no sonogram machines. There were no prenatal vitamins or emergency trips to the doctor. She wasn’t married and if Joseph hadn’t been a man of incredible faith as well and agreed to marry her, she probably would have been stoned to death!
But they both believed that what the Lord spoke to them through the angels was true and they committed themselves to God, to each other, and to raising the Messiah.
I can’t think about the Christmas story without also looking ahead to Easter. And as a mother, my mind goes to Mary again. Because she had her son for 32 years and then had to watch him die. For me. For my family. For all of you.
Could I do that? I am so unbelievably in love with my child and the new little one on the way.
A friend of ours named Rick Vale wrote a very special song from Mary’s point of view that many of you have probably heard. The lyrics always get to me and remember that even though Jesus was human, and was once a baby, he was the Savior. But for a short time, Mary had him to herself to hold and to cherish. And to coo at, the way we all do with babies.
Merry Christmas to all of you!
Someday, when this night is over
And the star has faded
And the angels fly
I will look at You with wonder
Dreaming of this first night
When I heard You cry
Someday, You’ll take Your tiny fingers
And with just a touch will cause the blind to see
Someday, You will walk with strangers
But, tonight, I’ll rock You
Stay awhile with me
Someday, they will call You Savior
Hope of all the people light and life divine
Someday, You will speak the words
And touch the hearts of many
As You now touch mine
You will speak in love and wisdom
Prison doors will open
We all will be set free
Someday, You will walk among us
But, tonight, I’ll rock You
Just stay awhile with me
My son, let me rock You
Stay awhile with me
We will be spending Christmas Eve here with both of our families in Columbia. We are heading to church in a couple of hours and then coming home for gumbo, French bread, and salad before opening a few presents. We’ll read The Night Before Christmas and part of Luke 2 in preparation for tomorrow.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I can’t stop thinking about Mary this year! Being pregnant gives you a totally different perspective-how did she do it? Great post! Y’all have a Merry Christmas! : ) (And gumbo sounds delish!)
I’ve been thinking about Mary a lot too this year. She knew who her son would become but what if she had known that she would only have him for 32 years? Merry Christmas!
Thank you for this Erin! What a great reminder!! Very well said. I can teven imagine what Mary went through, not only at Jesus’ birth, but his death! Wow. To God be the glory!
When I was pregnant at Christmas last year I thought of the same things. Also what it would be like to ride hundreds of miles on a donkey at nine months along! Now having a baby of my own I really appreciate Mary’s faith and sacrifice. Merry Christmas from one Carroll family to another! Enjoy your gumbo!
Our Christmas Eve service touched on this very thing! Mary was an amazing lady of faith! Merry Christmas!!
It’s Christmas! YES!!! Merry Christmas, Erin and fam! Thank you for this sweet post about your Christmas eve. That was above and beyond as I know how busy things must be! It melted my heart reading your words and reflections on such a special night of the year. And I LOVE LOVE that song! What awesome words..specially to us ‘moms’!!! It just blows the mind to think of Jesus coming here for us. I am so thankful that He did!
I sure hope that Hudson’s 2nd Christmas is amazing for him! ( and for you guys too!) Enjoy every moment!
Love, Lynn
What a beautiful poem.. It always brings me to chills to think of our Savior as an innocent baby and knowing HOW much and HOW big is the extend of my devotion for my own child, how he was loved, cherished and snuggled.. how God himself was smothered in kisses .. Puts in perspective how our own babies may grow to become great things… but they’ll always be our babies.