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Silent Night.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Merry Christmas.

Last year, I was three months pregnant with Levi at Christmas time. I remember reflecting so deeply on a new aspect of Christ's birth that I could never before then understand or relate to. Mary. What she must have been feeling, thinking, praying....
I wrote my thoughts here, if you are interested.

This year, I find myself relating to Mary in a whole new way. As a mom to a little boy.

I feel for her, as she traveled to and fro trying to find a place to sleep and a place to bear her baby. How very exhausted, frustrated and overwhelmed she must have been. Having experienced labor myself just 6 short months ago, I am in awe of her faith, and the conditions in which she bore Christ Jesus. In a lowly manger. A cold, dark, tiny manger, that likely smelled of animals and dirt. The poor little thing. How she did it, I will never know! I know she was scared. I know she was hurting. She was probably shaking and crying. What a precious, precious husband she had in Joseph. They went through the miracle of Jesus' birth completely alone with such grace and confidence.

You hear the story of Christ's birth and usually skim past the whole part about Mary to get to the grand finale of our Saviour being born. But this year, I can't stop thinking about that very part of the story. What a woman.

What was it like to parent Jesus? God in the flesh. I can't begin to fathom that responsibility. Think what it would be like to hold your baby, look into his eyes and SEE God. What was Mary like as a mother? I envision her to exude patience and sweetness. I see her as gentle and meek, always tending to his every need and providing excellent care and extra love. The model Mom, I guess is what I imagine. I would love to sit and talk with her and what it was like to "raise" Jesus. How absolutely fascinating!!

What a special, special lady she was.

And I envision Jesus in a whole new way. I can see Him better now, His little hands, His coo's and His giggles, His little face. How precious His little face must have been. He was just like any other baby that has ever lived. I imagine His little startle reflex, throwing His hands in the air all the time as a newborn, putting anything and everything in His mouth and Mary running to monitor His whereabouts when starting to roll around and crawl. His little voice - the very voice that would cry out "Eli Eli lama sabachthani?" while approaching His death. His death for you.

And the love between Mary and Jesus. I can understand that better now, and it means so much more to me now. And knowing that Mary had to watch her son, the Son of God, die for her, for you, for me.... I can't bear the thought. When little Levi gets a runny nose, or a little cough, my heart breaks and I rush around to make him more comfortable and to help make him better. To watch him be crucified on a cross? The thought makes me nauseous.

She was a warrior of faith. A devoted, obedient child of God.

Mary. Every year, I feel I can relate to her better.

Jesus. This year, I can see Him better.

This night, a Saviour was born. The Son of God who died for you and rose again to sit at the right hand of God, and intercede on our behalf. My Jesus. My Jesus.

My gratitude deepens and my awe soars higher every Christmas. O what a night.

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
I am a modern day homemaker with a passion for family, cooking, celebrating, decorating, travel, and memory making! The Lord has blessed me with the desires of my heart in my husband and our two sons. We recently built our dream home and cultivating a loving and happy haven for my family is where I find so much joy.

Comments

  1. That must be neat to be able to see it from a mother's perspective. I was going to sing "Silent Night" at my church during the passing of the light at the christmas eve service, but it was was cancelled. )-: It was the Sinead O Connor version. You should check it out. It's beautiful.

    ~Kathryn

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  2. When I woke up early this morning (preggo potty run, fun times), I stayed awake in bed, reading Mary's story in the gospels. I totally agree that being pregnant makes one see Mary's story in a whole new light. I loved this post.

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  3. Beautiful. Worthy of publication. I remember giving a talk at church the Christmas when Katie was three months old. I spoke about the things that Mary pondered in her heart. It was so intense relating to her from the standpoint of a mom with a newborn.

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  4. This post was absolutely beautiful, Whitney. I think about Mary so much, too, on Christmas. I think all moms have a new respect and awe for her after they have their own baby.

    Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family!

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  5. Yes I agree, being a mum, especially to a son, totally changes your perspective on Mary and the whole birth story. The Lord taught me so much about his relationship with me through my own parenting experience. I remember once when my son let go of my hand to walk by himself and he fell over, and I felt the Lord saying, "See, that's why I want you to walk hand in hand with me, so you don't fall." Amazing stuff.

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  6. Merry Christmas! Another beautiful post!

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  7. Your words are a breath of fresh air in the crazy busy time of year. Thank you for slowing it down for me.....at least for a minute. ;-)

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  8. I can't wait to experience that... well, I can wait for a few years. :)

    I left you a couple of awards on my blog by the way.

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  9. Thank you for reminding me of my feelings when I was a new mom of a 4 mo old at Christmastime. Having a new little one gave new meaning to the passage "mary pondered these things in her heart".

    So glad you shared.

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  10. Thank you for reminding me of my feelings when I was a new mom of a 4 mo old at Christmastime. Having a new little one gave new meaning to the passage "mary pondered these things in her heart".

    So glad you shared.

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