REFLECTIONS

Carrying the Christ Child

Daily routines led Mary to the well for fresh water that day; but on the short walk from her home, wedding preparations occupied her mind, not water. Her dreams built a life with Joseph, made a home with him, and nurtured family. Living those dreams in her mind made her unaware of the presence of anyone else—unaware that is until the angel Gabriel called her name. “Mary,” he said. Until then, no thought of anything extraordinary had entered her mind. Certainly not carrying the Christ Child.

As a good Jewish girl, she knew the Scripture including Isaiah’s prophecy, “the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14) The prophecy made so long ago grew more expectant with each passing day, but who would expect to be the chosen one?  “Surely God had someone special in mind to carry the Christ Child, not me,” she thought.

Such thoughts surely continued for all those nine months as Mary carried the Christ Child and felt him move and grow within her. Except for her parents, and Joseph of course, she kept her secret as best she could, for people would not choose to believe a virgin could be with child. But in time, the secret could not be kept.

So, I wonder if God gave her other daily encouragement or if the angel occasionally returned to give her comfort. I wonder if she truly believed each day that she was really carrying the Christ Child and that she was preparing to bring the long-awaited Messiah into the world. I wonder if Mary really understood that she was preparing for Christmas.

Well, we don’t know what it was like for her. We only know what it is like for us. Yes, we too have been chosen to carry the Christ Child. Jesus said, “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” (John 14:20) It’s not easy to accept that you and I have found favor with God, or to fully grasp Jesus words, “I am in you.” But Jesus does dwell within us. If unsure of it, just sit still to feel Him move and grow within you.

Like Mary, we tend to keep secret what we carry inside, for few people will find us worthy of such a call; but in time it is a secret that should not be kept. You and I are carrying the Christ Child; so let’s join those who bring Christ into the lives around us.

Let’s prepare for Christmas.

You are the light of the world,

Richard +

www.reflectingthesavior.org.

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