Monday, December 21, 2020

An Unimaginable Holy Saga

 'So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this Child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart ...'
Luke 2:16-19




These final days of Advent.

This is when we are invited to step away from our ordinary routines.  So that we can fully step into His extraordinary story.

For some, this venturing away from business as usual happens gradually, almost imperceptibly.  For others, it requires a clear decision made that invites the possibility of a holy awe to settle in and over and somewhere deep within our beings.

We ponder the story of the birth of the Holy One, our Savior, Jesus Christ.  

And His young God-chosen mother.

For Mary is living out an unimaginable holy saga as her simply unexplainable pregnancy and the scandal that surely swirled around her take on a life of their own.

Literally.

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The grueling journey by some beast of burden takes place in her final days of pregnancy.  At their assigned destination, does panic descend as she realizes that there is not a decent room to be had?  

And what does she do with the stark realization that she and Joseph will be settling into an animal shelter, a shed jam-packed with an assortment of creatures whose owners have also joined the town's throngs? 

As labor pains begin to grip her body with a burning frequency, the surreal reality hits her and her husband-to-be.  Her birthing suite would be right in the midst of manure-littered straw with cumbersome, noisy animals staring as they chomped on their feed ... and no woman friend or relative to gently guide her to the culmination of this, her virgin birth.

The Spirit who brought Jesus into her womb never leaves her side as she delivers the Son of God into a fallen world that's just as messy as the shed in which He took His first earthly breaths.
 

Miraculously, the Spirit quiets her young wise soul even as the Holy Child's first visitors include a random assortment of shepherds and more than a few curious bystanders who've caught wind of this unusual sacred drama. The ragtag company heads off in awe to spread the incredible heavenly news. 
 
And Mary is somehow able to pause.  In the midst of all that has swirled around her in a short period of time, she gently rests with her Savior-Baby and processes all that has happened.  Does she once again offer up those early pregnancy praises recorded in Luke's first chapter, verses 46 - 55?  Or does she simply contemplate her own private thoughts during these first hours with the Son of God in her arms, at her breast?

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Fast forward a couple thousand years. 
 
In the midst of our own whirlwind of emotions, discarded travel plans, unexpected circumstances, glorious surprises, and deepest disappointments, we, too, are offered a compelling invitation to lay aside all that's ordinary and dwell on the sacred extraordinary.  We, who have been offered eternal hope and everlasting joy, are invited to ponder the remarkably glorious news that Jesus Christ is born.  And meditate, once again, on the miracle of our salvation and promise of heaven for those who claim Him as their own.
 
Just like the young virgin mother did all those generations ago.
 
Comfort & Joy ~
Linda

Sarah Bessey

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32 comments:

  1. If Chist was born down under
    would He've been wrapped in outback togs,
    and attended (oh, I wonder!)
    by Australian Shepherd Dogs
    who brough their sheep down from the hills
    and quickly Holy Stable found,
    and with strong eyes are stronger wills
    started bossing folks around?
    "Mary, lass, support His head;
    He's your first, but really, have a care!
    And Joseph, go stand there instead;
    will you please give the Kid some air?
    Royal Bloke! Yeah, you with the gold,
    your cloak, please; can't you see He's cold?"

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    1. Andrew, your take on the Bethlehem story made Tim smile as he read it.

      Me, too.

      I hope that you and Barb and all the four footed lads will have a peaceful Christmas, despite the pain and hardship that has defined this year. Bless you guys ...

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  2. He is the one that brings peace and quiets our soul. Lovely parallelism of that time so long ago to today's event. Have peace-filled Christmas, Linda!

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    1. Dear Lynn ... I'm glad you're here! Actually this is pretty much the same post I published in 2014 adapted with just a couple of tweaks. I guess some of life's realities are timeless, aren't they.

      Praise God He remains holy, righteous, powerful, and tender.

      I hope your Christmas shines with love and joy, friend. Thank you for your wise words and stunning photos which have been calming and soothing this year.

      Let's see what God will do in 2021!

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  3. Beautiful retelling of Mary's story, Linda. May we, like her, ponder all these wonders in our hearts.
    Blessings, and Merry Christmas!

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    1. This year has offered us a good opportunity to ponder, with so many of the usual events and celebrations and rushing from here to there cancelled. All is calm and a bit too still without the grandchildren gathered 'round, isn't it.

      God understands.

      A blessed Christmas to you and yours, Martha. Thank you for keeping me company this year. You are a faithful friend ...

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  4. This is a beautiful reflection, Linda! I always love that verse about Mary treasuring everything and pondering it in her heart, and the invitation to us to do the same. I hope you and your family have a lovely Christmas and know God's joy and peace.

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    1. Dear Lesley - I'm praying for you and yours, family and friends and people you minister to as the pandemic's new strain has hit your beautiful country. I pray that you'd encounter Christ's peace in a fresh way ... and that He would fill the lonely and scary places with His gentle companionship.

      Please know I'll be praying each day for you, sweet friend.

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  5. This was beautifully written Linda. I like being reminded that God chose Mary and Joseph to be part of this miracle. Not just two people - but them specifically. Amazing. Enjoy a peaceful Christmas.

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    1. It will be a Christmas like no other we've experienced. What else can I say? May we both be surprised by joy ...

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  6. Thank you for this touching story of "the remarkably glorious news that Jesus Christ is born." I'm always moved by Mary and the depths of faith God gave her, even enduring scorn for following God's will. And she was probably only a teenager! I love how she "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." May we do likewise! Love and blessings of a peace-filled Christmas to you and yours!

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    1. Yes, yes, Trudy. I've been thinking about Mary alot, most especially because now I have two granddaughters in their mid-teens. She must have been quite a unique woman for God to choose her to bear His Son.

      Meanwhile, many of us will continue to have extra time to ponder this year. And that is probably a very good thing.

      I wish you Christmas blessings, friend. Thank you for your faithful companionship and behind the scenes encouragement. You are a dear.

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  7. Talk about plans changing, being inconvenienced, dodging so many risks and not knowing what will happen next—those 2 precious souls passed the test with flying colors. Love the song Mary, Did You Know and this lyric always gives me goose bumps >“when you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?”

    When I read this post, it made me think of my favorite Christmas movie, The Nativity. That movie realistically portrays the struggle that came upon this couple.

    Merry Christmas, dear friend.

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    1. Yep, that song gets me every time. Two precious souls, then three. God's plans are often beyond our wildest dreams, aren't they!

      Missing celebrating Christmas with you ... you always had the most gorgeous tree!
      xo

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  8. I am constantly amazed and overwhelmed that my salvation is a gift which never stops. I am so thankful Jesus came to "save His people from their sin" as the angel tells Joseph. Puts a whole new slant on the christmas story.

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    1. What love, what a sacrifice. Praise God for the ultimate gift of His Son. Where would we be without Jesus.

      Christmas blessings to you and your flock ...

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  9. Wishing you and your family a Blessed Christmas.

    God bless.

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    1. And likewise to you, Victor.

      Be well, be safe, ol' chap ...

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  10. Those words have always given me pause, Mary treasured these things and pondered them in her heart. I love that part of the story.

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    1. Ponder. A word with such a gentle invitation ... and maybe this year we can eagerly say 'yes' since we're not distracted by lots of activities, merriment, and crowds of those we love.

      I hope you have a wonderful celebration with your family, friend ...

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  11. May I take your advice and do this... "In the midst of our own whirlwind of emotions, discarded travel plans, unexpected circumstances, glorious surprises, and deepest disappointments, we, too, are offered a compelling invitation to lay aside all that's ordinary and dwell on the sacred extraordinary."

    Have a blessed Christmas, Linda!

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    1. It sure can be challenging to go to that quiet place with all that's trying to grab our attention. But I'm thinking that will be our salvation this Christmas.

      I hope your celebration is beautiful and filled with hope and joy, Lisa ...

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  12. Linda, this is so beautifully written. May I never forget the wonder of the birth of Jesus, my Lord and Saviour! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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    1. Enjoy a wonderful celebration of Jesus' birth, Pam! Thank you for cultivating beauty, creativity, and inspiration in our homes ...

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  13. Thank you for reminding us of the real-life feelings and emotions of one of the people (Mary) involved in the Christmas story. Sometimes we think of her as a holy, but lifeless figurine. You brought her to life! Merry Christmas, friend!

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    1. I hope you're having a wonderful day, friend! Christ the Savior is born!

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  14. This story never gets old. I am fascinated that each time I hear/read it, something new emerges. Thank you for sharing this again. Merry Christmas.

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    1. Good insight ... something new emerges when we take time to have eyes to see. Thank you, Jean!

      I'm hoping you're having a lovely afternoon, quietly celebrating our Savior's birth ...

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  15. beautiful perspective. thank you for sharing this, Linda. I hope your Christmas was restful and may your new year be joyfilled. God bless.

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    1. Mariel, I agree, let's say 'yes' to joy right in the midst of life's messiness and miracles!

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  16. What a beautiful rendering of heartfelt thoughts about the birth of our precious Lord... such a difficult trying time it was for Mary, such difficult unimaginable circumstances surrounded with supernatural events that surely must have been an incredible experience beyond our imagination. You told the story beautifully my friend! Praying that as we continue in this season of remembering His birth that we too are surrounded by the supernatural presence of His spirit residing with us. Much love to you!

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    1. Your benediction is so meaningful ... profound, really.

      'Praying that as we continue in this season of remembering His birth that we too are surrounded by the supernatural presence of His spirit residing with us.'

      Amen. A beautiful way to launch out into 2021. So glad to do it with you, Marilyn!

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