Christmas thoughts

I love my Christmas tree. Aleta gave us the ornaments as a late wedding present. We got married in August 2002. She did so much to help that blissful day along that any gift was downright superfluous. But when she showed up in November with a full black garbage bag that turned into a tree full of glittering ornaments, I was excited by the late-wedding-turned-to- early-Christmas. The ornaments are huge & I love them. Our tree has never gone without.

I love to sit alone downstairs and lose myself in the lights & glitter of the Christmas tree. And think. I think about many things, but so often (perhaps because my Nativities are within sight) my thoughts turn to Mary. I imagine her as a woman of great understanding & serenity. No doubt she was young & unsure when presented with her mission to mother the Son of God. But I think she must have come to understand a great deal about His role…even when others close to Him did not. She must have cherished the time when He was hers…we do know that didn’t last long, as He was quickly about “His Father’s business”. Did she know how short their time alone would be? Did she foresee His grief and pain? Did her heart ache to give Him to Us? When He turned His life over to mankind, I’m sure she longed for the times when He was hers alone…sharing food, warmth & love…the simple beauty of family.

When I think about Christmas, I think about Christ, yes - His Love, His Atonement, the Eternal Significance of His Sacrifice. But, during this season I seem to spend equal time thinking about Mary. She held this child in her arms, sang to Him, warmed Him with kisses. I’ve held & loved two babies. I weep at their pains. I exult in their triumphs. I tangibly ache at the thought of letting them go someday. Maybe this is the root of the bond. My mother experience is short-lived, but the feelings that accompany it are powerful beyond all. I can begin to imagine her feelings.Maryached as He left to embrace His divinely-appointed destiny. She wept at His pain. His pain surpassed All. She exulted in His triumphs. His triumphs End ALL Pain. I'm grateful for the Pains of me&mine allieved through His life's Gift.  I am also grateful to one who (though unsure & untried) gave life to Him who gives Life to All. 

Comments

[Kelly]

Lovely thoughts! I can't tell you how much I love that poem you wrote -- was it last Christmas or the Christmas before? So beautiful. You have a way with words!

[Price Cream Parlor]

Love your thoughts on Mary! I think of her often as well and what an amazing woman she must have been to be the mother of the Christ child! I have heard good things about the movie THE NATIVITY. There are a few things that if the church had made it - they would have done differently, but I have heard that it is still a movie to go and see.
Thanks for sharing your tender thoughts on Mary!