Do you love to hear a good story? I enjoy stories passed down through generations and in literature. And I’m especially fond of stories told as first-hand accounts of actual events. But what about the Christmas story?

Have you read the Christmas story in the Bible? How have others told the story? 

I wonder how Mary, the earthly mother of Jesus, felt and experienced the birth of the Christ child. Or, what it was like to see Jesus grow into a man and fulfill His mission. 

Perhaps Mary’s thoughts went something like this.

Christmas Story : First Breath of Grace

He took His first breath. The first breath of grace. Wrapped in a swaddling cloth, though adorned with royal titles. Wonderful. Counselor. Prince of Peace. Holy King. Immanuel. The Ancient of Days.

The Lamb of God created the star placed in the heavens to announce His arrival. The light of the world.

I held Him in my arms, so overjoyed. Barely minutes old and seemingly fragile. But this baby embodied the fullness of the Godhead. Such power later demonstrated when He cast out evil spirits and even raised the dead to life again.

I  studied every feature as mothers do when handed a newborn. Gazing intently at Him, I saw the goodness and greatness of God.

Christmas Story: Child to Man

Looking into His eyes, they would one day see into the hearts of men. I watched His mouth when He yawned or cried, wonderful, powerful and life-giving words He later spoke. Commanding even the winds and waves to obey Him.

Placing my hand on His chest to sense a strong heartbeat. The day was coming when His heart—broken and betrayed by many—offered forgiveness to all.

I held His hands and noticed His little fingers. The same hands would gently caress those who needed comfort and healing. Touch eyes restoring sight. His hands stretched out to give us love and life, pierced by nails.

I examined His feet. Yes, five toes on each one. I’d felt them kicking inside me. These feet carried Him to speak to the masses, walked on water and were pierced with nails.

Embracing Him as a mother tenderly draws her child close, snuggling Him near to my chest. Yet, His embrace offers us more warmth and security than any earthly mother ever bestows.

How ironic I nursed Him to sustain His physical life, whereas He is the very Bread of Life.

I delighted in watching Jesus grow from child to man. There was no one like my Jesus: His smile, voice, presence and spirit. Possessing great compassion, humility, love and tenderness.

Christmas Story: Calvary’s Cross

Then, I found myself at the foot of the cross sobbing. Why, son?

“Though he was in the form of God…he emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men…he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:6-11 (ESV)

Besides being His mother, I also welcomed Jesus into my life and heart. I worshiped Him as Lord and Savior. And He desires that you welcome Him into your life and heart. 

Because His Holy Word shouts, “Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah” Psalm 24:9-10 (ESV)

(Mary, the mother of Jesus)

“Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah” Psalm 24:9-10 (ESV) #Christmas
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The Lord of Hosts

The Lord of hosts came that first Christmas night in Bethlehem for all who are willing to welcome His glory into their hearts and lives.

Lord, we swing open wide the gates of our life and the door of our heart for your grand entrance as we worship you, the King of glory. 

Featured image courtesy of Adobe Express.

Last week’s post by Patricia Holbrook: The Best Christmas Gift You Can Give.

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Join us as my friend @FridayKaren looks at how Mary, Jesus' mother, might describe the Christmas story from that first night in Bethlehem throughout her Son's earthly life. Share your blog! #blog #Christmas
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The moment He took His first breath, I became His mother. And I celebrated my first mother’s day.

Overjoyed with my child. My baby boy.

A newborn placed in my arms. My life forever altered.

Swaddled by cloths, though adorned with royal titles.

Wonderful. Counselor. Prince of Peace. Holy King. Immanuel (God now with me). The Ancient of Days.

Barely minutes old and seemingly fragile. But this baby embodied the fullness of the Godhead.

Power demonstrated years later when He cast out evil spirits and raised the dead.

As I gazed intently at Him, the goodness and greatness of God spilled out.

Mother’s Day for a New Mom

I studied every feature.

His eyes. They gazed into the hearts of men. I watched His mouth as He yawned and cried. Life-giving words were later spoken by Him. Words commanding even the winds and waves to obey.

I laid my hand on His chest. The rise and fall of breaths ladened with grace. A strong heartbeat surfaced. But the day arrived when His heart—broken and betrayed—offered forgiveness.

Wrapping my fingers around His tiny hands. Hands that grew and comforted, extended healing, and restored sight. His hands stretched out to give hope, peace, and life—pierced on a wooden cross.

Mothers always inspect feet. (Yes, five toes on each one.) His were beautiful. I’d felt them kicking inside me.

A baby’s feet are precious. Stare-worthy. His feet walked on water, were anointed with perfume, and pierced by nails.

I drew the Christ-child to my chest in a snuggled embrace. Yet, His embrace offers more warmth and security than any earthly mother bestows.

How ironic I nursed Him to sustain physical life, whereas He is the bread of life.

Mother’s Day for the Mom of Jesus

I delighted in watching Him grow. There was no one like Jesus: His smile, His voice, His presence, and His spirit. He possessed great compassion, humility, love, and tenderness.

But it wasn’t always easy being His mother. Not understanding His life or grasping my son’s love and mission.

And with a mangled heart, I sobbed at the foot of the cross. Why, son? What greater purpose could mend this mother’s broken heart?

. . . though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:6-11 (ESV)

Jesus. A baby placed in my arms at birth, then a manger. A God-man placed on a cross to die for me.

Raised to life, He took His place seated at the right hand of the heavenly Father.

~ Mary the mother of Jesus

"I delighted in watching Him grow. There was no one like Jesus: His smile, His voice, His presence, and His spirit. He possessed great compassion, humility, love, and tenderness." ~ Mary the mother of Jesus @FridayKaren #MothersDay2022
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Mother’s Day for Us

We can only speculate on Mary’s thoughts.

With Mother’s Day around the corner, what are your reflections? Perhaps it’s a wonderful day of warm celebration and joy for you. Or maybe, it’s a reminder of loss or painful memories.

I’m blessed with a daughter and son I’m proud of and dearly love. I wear the name tag of mother-in-law to a wonderful man.

Also, I bear the title “Mimi” to my grandchildren. Oh, how wonderful!

Yet, I lost a baby in utero. One day I’ll see that child in heaven.

So, whether Mother’s Day brings fond memories or sad ones. Whether the occasion causes joy or pain.

Or the celebration reminds us of void and loss in our childhood or our womb or a wayward child. Whatever our “mom” status this Mother’s Day.

God remains our heavenly Father. He not only created motherhood, but He also celebrates it with us, and heals any hurt.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Also see The Voice of Hope.

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Join @FridayKaren to ponder Mary's possible thoughts on Jesus' birth and life. God created and celebrates motherhood with us and heals any pain and loss. Share your blog! #blog #love via @PatHolbrook #MothersDay2022
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The post Mother’s Day for Mary {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.