Category: 366 days of novice motherhood

The humility of Mary, the mother of Jesus has always struck me.

As a child growing up in the catholic church, praying daily the prayer that Elizabeth expressed when she realized the importance of Mary’s mission made me smile often.

Many think Catholics worship Mary, but I’ve never known that, just a sense of respect for the woman who carried the son of God and gave birth in a backyard shed.

Giving birth to Max this year, I didn’t really feel overwhelmed with emotions firstly, I was in a state of somewhat shock.

The first emotion I felt was pure gratitude.

After hours of labour our birth went a little awry and we were rushed in for emergency surgery.

Then I think of Mary in that stable.

The animals, their waste, the straw, the insects, the hopeless overwhelming sense of gratitude that they found somewhere to give birth.

Giving birth in a barn?

The carols make it sound so quaint. So tidy, so perfect, so intimate.

I think it was dirty, it was uncomfortable, it was not sweet in anyway.

Giving birth is hard enough, but on the floor of a shed, one full of animals, animals that don’t have the same levels of sanitation as we do today.

No epidural, no funny gas, no shower, bath or massage oil.

Oh my.

Mary.

You are my hero.

The nativity story is made out to sound so pretty, because Christmas is festive and family orientated.

Yet Mary went through hell so that we can sing loudly ‘O night divine’ this weekend at carols by candlelight services.

She walked and carried her nine month pregnant self on a donkey and over miles upon miles of unforgiving terrain.

I suppose she reminds me, when I get up to my little man in the middle of the night, safe and sound in his own temperature controlled bedroom, that I am overwhelmingly blessed.

The Saviour of the world was born in a pigs trough as a manger, in the middle of a shed.

I am blessed.

We are blessed if we have somewhere to sleep tonight.

You are blessed.

Christmas perspective.

If you have a bed this evening and your family is tucked up safe and sound.

We are blessed.

A

 

Enter Joseph.

What a man.

In the story of the nativity, I think the academy award should go to Joseph.

Long suffering, man of integrity and courage.

Mary his girlfriend, comes to him and tells him that she is pregnant and he stands by her word.

In that day and age, a pregnant woman, who is single, is scorned.

Joseph was confused, he didn’t accept this whole scenario without contemplation.

An angel comes to reinforce Mary’s story that she is still a virgin.

Matthew 1: says this of Joseph

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

I think this part of the Christmas story gives humanity hope.

It gives me hope that there are decent men in our history, that treat women with respect.

Joseph showed such great respect to Mary. Joseph was the man!

He took the whole situation quietly and under control and stood up for his fiancé and his family.

Joseph made them his priority. He owned the whole situation, even though it made his reputation look stained.

He stood by Mary in her greatest time of need and honored their commitment.

Most of all he became the natural father to a son who was to change the course of history forever.

Who do you need to stand by in their greatest time of need?

Who do you need to show grace too and believe in them against all odds?

My man Charl is a man of such courage and character.

I think we need to honor men more for what they do for our families.

Joseph you are a great man and I’m sure your perspective of the Christmas story is a unique one.

Imagine how stressed he would have been with his soon to be wife giving birth in a stable.

Now that story is for tomorrow.

There is so much more to Christmas than trees, turkeys and presents.

It is the tale of many stories entwining.

A

 

Luke 2:1

About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant. (Luke 2:1-5 MSG)

God works everything together for his purposes and plans.

The leaders of the day are calling every person back to their original villages and this became the perfect backdrop for a Saviour to be born.

I was reading up on Caesar Augustus, because I had assumed he was a bad leader, but he wasn’t he brought the world into a era of peace as Christ was born.

One commentator said this;

‘Beyond any argument as to Luke’s historical sources is his basic conviction that emperors, governments, and laws serve the purpose of God, often without knowing it. In this, Luke agrees with Isaiah 45:1. Caesar Augustus is more than a date for the story; he is an instrument of God’s will. There does not have to be a miracle or an unusual event for God to be at work. God works miracles in Luke, to be sure, but God works without them, too. [p. 34]’

God is at work in the everyday of our nation.

It actually makes me smile sometimes how people react so strongly to laws that are enacted in our society today.

Christians picketing, yelling and living completely opposite to everything that the gospel stands for. All in the name of justice against laws being past that are supposedly ‘anti-God’.

The crazy thing is we forget that God is in control not us and he brings all things together for Good.

This part of the nativity story shows us this.

The census became the backdrop for god to hide this birth in the back stables of a little town in the middle of nowhere.

Caesar became Gods pawn.

We think we are in control, but ultimately God always has the last say.

This part of the nativity story makes me smile.

God works all things together for good.

Even a crazy census, when there is no room left at any inn in the village to give birth to a Saviour.

Christmas began in chaos.

If your Christmas is a little chaotic, no stress at least you are not having a baby in the midst of a census and in a barn.

A

There is a part of the nativity story that is never spoken about in any play, production or cartoon.

It’s the part when John, Jesus’ cousin is born.

The amazing part about this perspective of the Christmas story is that John was a part of Gods plan to lead the way.

Later in the story when Jesus comes of age, John makes a way in the desert and prepares people to see that the King is coming.

What amazes me most is the timing of Johns birth.

He made a way, even in his birth to prepare the earth for the most radical arrival ever.

It makes me think of his perspective of the Christmas story.

He just played his part.

He did what he was called to do.

He didn’t try to take over Jesus’ job, he just did what he was designed to do.

What are you designed to do?

Every one of us has a unique story. Everyone of us plays a part in someone else’s story.

What is your part?

Don’t try to live someone else’s. Just walk out your own.

The bible writes in Luke 1:80 of John

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

This was when his hour came. His hour was when his job was to introduce Jesus to the world.

Radical!

Have the courage to do what you were designed for.

Your unique signature.

Without John, the story would have ended very differently.

Perspective

A

There is nothing like family to kick off the festive spirit.

At family night tonight the children lit the first advent candle that signifies hope.

In the catholic church there is a tradition of four advent candles which are lit every Sunday in December and then a white candle lit on Christmas day to represent the birth of Christ.

The nativity story is one birthed in family and friendship also.

Elizabeth and Mary were cousins who were so delighted when they each discovered they were pregnant and were to give birth to children close by each other.

The power of family.

I love the African proverb that says ‘it takes a village to raise a child.’

The bible speaks of the family that Jesus grew up with, brothers, sisters, cousins.

Christmas and family can be not enjoyable for some people.

Their perspective is not one of peace. It’s compromise, arguments and unmet expectations.

Do you struggle with family at Christmas?

It’s okay. It is really normal. Maybe find ways to combat your reactions and stress by lowering your expectations and preparing yourself accordingly.

If you always argue with your brother, counteract it by arranging something kind to do for him with no expectation of returning the favor.

If you are offended by little comments your mum always makes, remind yourself that offense is actually a choice, and you can choose to not take on the negativity or listen to the judgements.

If one uncle always gets drunk and then starts to annoy you, decide to leave before that part of the day ensues.

Prepare yourself for the interactions and find ways to cope effectively.

Code words between partners.

Arrange another outing to have a leaving time.

Decide what’s right for your family and stick to it.

Family is beautiful but can also be complex.

Take time this Christmas to find a fresh perspective on this story in your plot line.

Mary and Elizabeth had every chance to be jealous, competitive and offended. Elizabeth had waited years to be a mum, Mary wasn’t even married.

This doesn’t stop them from celebrating one another’s seasons and embracing one another fervently.

Luke 1:39-44

39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

What an amazing way to embrace her ‘single and pregnant’ relative. When many would despise her.

Family is never easy at Christmas but we all have a choice in the way we respond to each situation. With grace or judgement.

Choose grace this Christmas.

A