From the Cradle to the Cross
We talk about the Advent season and the various traditions and celebrations we organize for our families. As you prepare your heart for the coming of the birth of the One Who is Kings of kings and Lord of lords, are you fellowshipping daily with the One Who delights in you; the One Who entered the world in the humblest way possible, fully trusting His earthly parents to provide for Him, knowing that His mother’s heart would be pierced to unbelievable depths as He hung on the cross? Let us ponder together.
When we asked Laura Booz, our book study author, what the Lord was teaching her during this season of motherhood, she took us to Luke 2:34-35, “And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His mother, Behold this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed – and a sword will pierce even your own soul – to the end, that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
Simeon's words are a prophecy for Mary, a little note to prepare herself that being the mother of Christ will involve not just joy, but also pain. A sword will pierce her soul. Because of the nearness of their relationship and motherly affection, Mary would also suffer.
Parenting well involves suffering to some degree. Yes, it is joyful, but it also involves the piercing of our mama (and daddy’s) hearts. We struggle, doubt ourselves, and feel as though we are alone on a hard journey. Can you image how Mary felt…and Joseph?
Especially during this season, may we turn our hearts toward Jesus’s earthly mother as our example for how to walk this journey well. Scriptures teach us that she was obedient, submissive, and humble. She stayed the course and finished well, even to the point of watching her Son die on a Roman cross.
As we look at our lives and earthly struggles, we see our need for a Savior, just as Mary did - not merely for salvation, but also for our daily walk of faith. Where we feel insufficient, He is sufficient. Where we see a heap of ashes because of our mistakes and misspeaking, God offers us grace and sanctification through Jesus. Can you be a humble receiver of this gift? It is yours for the receiving.
For those of you who have new babies in your homes or can look back to the time when your toddler was week’s old, do you recall the feeling? As you tend or tended to your infant’s needs, I want you to ponder the fact that Mary tended to the needs of the Creator of the world. How is it that Jesus allowed Himself to be in need, vulnerable, messy, and helpless as is the state of every newborn? Perhaps it is because He wanted to relate to us as being needy, helpless, vulnerable, and without hope…unless a spotless Lamb was born to die.
Let me close with a quote from Corrie Ten Boom: “Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.”
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
If you would like to reach out to Jeannie, you may email her at jbrostrand@redeemerdayschool.org.