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Listen while you read: "The First Nowell"1 (Lyrics) |
A Revisited Devotional from December 21, 1998.
Luke 2:6 – And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. (KJV)
I received a long-distance call from a friend a while back. She was awaiting news of the birth of her first grandchild, and, lest she be tempted to call and check on the progress every so often, chose to call and talk to me. We managed to avert her temptation for almost an hour.
I remembered the impending birth of our first child. I had called my husband at work, telling him it was "time". He dashed home, dashed in the door, said "I'm here!" and dashed out to the car, leaving me on the doorstep, mouth open, and a little suitcase by my side, as he called nervously in his excitement, "Hurry, we have to get to the hospital. You're going to have a baby!"
Awaiting a birth is a time of great emotion. We are excited, distracted, happy, nervous, apprehensive, in awe. The list is long, the reasons varied. It was no different during the days leading to the birth of Christ, and it is no different today, awaiting the celebration of His birth.
We are excited at the thought of being together. We are tempted by commercials to buy certain products. We plan Christmas parties and carol singing; we bake, buy, and decorate. We dash here and there to get everything done, sometimes leaving the reason for Christmas "on the doorstep with the suitcase".
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, as we dash about during this busy season; as we are tempted by the commercialism; as we ride the roller coaster of emotions such as joy, frustration, love, and sadness; as we feel we are overworked and maybe under-appreciated; as we fear we have overspent; may we take time to remember the real reason we have a Christmas: to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and all the blessings bestowed upon us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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Love Mary’s down to earth writings.
Thanks Mary, may you and your family enjoy this Christmas season. Blessings.
Amen and amen! Thanks for sharing this encouraging devotional again with us today. Blessings.
Thank you for writing this devotional.
Waiting the real reason.
Blessings.
Thanks Mary – I remember vividly the unbridled joy of my firstborn – 45 years!!
Blessings.
So good to remember how it felt when that first baby was born! I remember jumping into the driver’s seat and my sister just waited for me to figure it out … my husband was away!! I’ve thought very often about how Mary coped – after a long trip ( days?) walking/riding on a donkey – no mother or sister around etc. What a brave girl!! Joseph as well.
Good morning, Mary,
At this time of the year we all need reminders to enjoy those small moments of peace, hope, joy, and love that our faith offers us and not get overwhelmed. It is fun to remember the times when we were pregnant and the anticipation of the birth. Hopefully, we did not have to travel to another city by law to give birth and not have our family and friends close by as Mary did. It is amazing how a devotional written 26 years ago is still relevant and how the Bible so old is still revealing lessons we need every day. Thanks for writing. Merry Christmas and many blessings.
Good morning, Mary. It was nice to read another of your former devotionals today and so true that we can sure get distracted focusing on a number of things at this time of year. Our real focus should certainly be on the birth of our loving Saviour as without that wonderful happening, Christmas wouldn’t have originated. That main focus can sure get put aside with all the other activities highlighted these days. All the technology these days, although has some good direction of thought, can get us off track too. We certainly need to stay focused on our faith and the joy we have in life by knowing Jesus is ever caring for us and He is ever deserving of our reverence. Blessings for your words and may you and your family have a joyous Christmas.
Thank you, Mary. What a great snapshot of your husband’s excitement. May it mirror our own at this Baby’s coming.