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 making time for reflection? Let us set our minds on the One Who humbly entered the world as Immanuel, 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. Several years ago, we had the pleasure of connecting on zoom with our book study author, Laura Booz who wrote “Expect Something Beautiful: Finding God’s Good Gifts in Motherhood.” We asked her this question: what is the Lord teaching you during this season of motherhood? She readily took us to Luke 2:34-35 which says, then Simeon blessed them (Joseph and Mary) and said to Mary, His mother: “This Child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Simeon's words are a prophecy for Mary - a little note to prepare her for being the mother of Christ. It will involve not just joy, but also pain; a sword will pierce her soul. Because of the tenderness of their relationship and her motherly affection, Mary would also suffer…at the foot of the cross. It’s hard to imagine that level of intense, emotional pain.
Parenting well involves suffering. Yes, it is joy-filled, but it also involves the piercing of our mama (and daddy’s) hearts on some level. We struggle, doubt ourselves, feel as though we are alone on a hard journey when life goes in an unexpected direction. Can you image how Mary felt…and Joseph? Mary is an excellent example for how to walk this journey well. Scriptures teach us that she was obedient, submissive, humble, and fully trusted God’s providential plan for her life. While not understanding many things, she stayed the course and finished well, even to the point of watching her Son die on a Roman cross. She did not take matters into her own hands; she did not plow the road.
As we look at our lives and earthly struggles, we see our need for a Savior, not merely for salvation, but also for the empowering of the Holy Spirit for our daily walk of faith. Where we feel insufficient, Jesus is sufficient. Where we are weak, we can rejoice in our Savior’s strength. Where we see a heap of ashes because of our mistakes and misspoken words, God offers us forgiveness, grace, and mercy. For those of you who have new babies in your homes, or can look back to the time when your preschooler was week’s old, do you recall the feeling? As you tend to your infant’s needs, ponder the fact that Mary tended to the needs of the Creator of the world. Jesus allowed Himself to be in need, vulnerable, messy, and helpless as is the state of every newborn, and yet He was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, “a Child will be born to us…”
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.” There is no greater Gift that God could offer the world! Have you received this Gift?
