Christmas Eve Ponderings....

On this Christmas Eve morning, I immersed myself into the writings from Luke 1 as I contemplated the ponderings of Mary, the mother of sweet King Jesus!

The Word shared the beautiful story of the angel, Gabriel's visit! Can you imagine? Can you put yourself in Mary's sandals and allow the immensity of the message to sink into your soul? No doubt, she was a women with a deep relationship with her God already, for He chose her. She was "favored" and the Lord "was with her". She knew the message of the prophets of old, she knew that the Messiah was promised; was coming. But when? And how?

Oh, the awe, the near disbelief, when it was made known to her. HE was finally coming. And God was going to use her! As she sat in the angel's light, in the radiance of God's presense, she was overcome with faith and submission and joy. "I am the servant of the Lord, be it unto me according to your word." Beautiful words. Words that should be part of our daily prayers. Words of submission and purpose. Words of alignment and focus. We are servants of the most high God!

Being a mother, my mind can only imagine the joy and the wonder she felt as she realized that she was carrying a child! The reality of the situation, and all that it indicated, in light of their culture, is also a sobering and challenging factor, that would later play out as we read of Joseph's response and his own visit by God's messenger providing assurance and hope. But for now, let's contemplate the joy factor, the "in a family way" factor.

I was touched as I read about her reaction upon hearing of her cousin Elizabeth's miracuous pregnancy. The Word says that she "arose and went with haste" to visit Elizabeth (who was already 6 months along)! I get it! There is just something about being with a friend/relative who is going through the same thing! Someone to share the news with! Someone who will understand! And in this case, a fellow miracle recipient! Such news to bask in together! There have been times when I can hardly wait to share news with my spouse, family or a special friend. And such it was, with Mary!

I had to ponder. Did Elizabeth know? About Mary? We do know, according to verse 17, that Zechariah had been told by the angel. that the baby Elizabeth would birth, would be "great before the Lord" and was being sent with a special purpose; to help turn the people to the Lord and to "make ready for the Lord a people prepared." What a beautiful purpose!

I love verses 41 and 44, when the Word says that the babe "leaped in her womb, for joy!" and Mary was "filled with the Holy Spirit". The babe knew. Elizabeth knew. They were in the presence of the "in utero King" of God Incarnate!

May our hearts also leap with joy this Christmas Eve as we once again ponder the miraculous event that ushered in Christmas so many years ago! The earth-coming of God, the creator of this Earth, come to rescue His creation. Come to rescue you and me. Later, we read of Mary, pondering these things in her heart.... May we ponder, with joy and thankfulness this beautiful Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!