Memory Monday – Week 76

Is anyone else in shock that Christmas is three days away? It seems like this month has been such a whirlwind and after getting back last night from another weekend out of town this week seems to have snuck up on me! I know I haven’t taken nearly enough time to stop and be still and focus on the real reason we are having Christmas, which of course is to celebrate Jesus.

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2:6-7

As I reflected on this verse, I was reminded of this sermon I posted about last year at Christmas time. I can’t read that passage in Luke and not think of how casual it sounds, “Then it came time for a baby to be born”. But, this verse isn’t just referring to any baby. This baby is the Messiah, Jesus! 

Out of all the ways Jesus could have been welcomed into this world, it was in a manger. There was nothing glorious or grand about it. Not only was the place inconsequential, but the person too. Jesus was birthed to an unwed teenager. Isn’t it so easy to think that God would never pick us to birth a miracle out of? But it’s people like you and like me that He likes to come in and work the miraculous through.

This story, which in Luke is so easy to breeze by as it sounds so simple, brings us hope. It proves that God’s way of doing things is much different than our ways. It’s in the middle of loss and infertility, that we can still celebrate, because we have a Savior who has given us a promise of eternal life and while we are waiting to spend eternity with Him, He is with us to carry us through all the trials!

As our family celebrates Christmas this year it’s going to look much different than it ever has before. Our little Kai won’t be there with us and although the party he is having with Jesus in heaven definitely trumps our party here on earth, He will still be missed tremendously. Although it will be really hard, it doesn’t mean we have to mourn or pout because Jesus came so that we can have peace and hope despite our circumstances.

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and no matter what you are facing, whether it’s loss of a loved one or infertility, you remember that Jesus came to be your hope in all circumstances. Let Him be your joy during this Christmas season!