Mary Did You Know?

 

 

I love that song.  I think about my children and how much I love them and know that it must have been so difficult to be Mary.  When I think of how difficult it must have been to travel all that way when she was so far along in her pregnancy and then to deliver that baby far from home and without any comforts of a room, I am amazed.  Then to be the mother of the Savior who would give His life for the world.   

 

Tonight at our Christmas Eve service I listened to the Bible messages about our Lord and Savior and I sang those Christmas carols with joy in my heart knowing that I can do this because of Him.  Tonight was a night of joy as we remember His birth and His arrival on earth.  We know what this child would go through but tonight, we were able to emphasize the glory of His birth. 

 

I've been very busy the last few weeks with all the activities that go with this Christmas season, but I've tried to concentrate this year on why we have this blessed season. I've tried to make the most of  family time making sure to go to the Christmas progam and today I made time to spend with my Mom. Gary and I took her out to breakfast and listened to her tell us about relatives long gone. She's 90 years old now and her short-term memory isn't the greatest, but she sure can remember what it was like to grow up in the 20's and 30's.   I went home and made Canadian pork pies that were the tradition in our home when I grew up. Mom doesn't cook any more, but I still remember those pies and all the traditions that went with them.  When we were little, our grandmother would watch us while our parents went to Midnight Mass. We would try to stay up as late as we could to see if we could hear Santa.  It never worked, we always fell asleep long before they came home.  When they got home, Santa had come and we would have pork pie and then open our presents.  The grown ups would go to bed and my brother and I would stay up and play until we had to go to sleep.  Then our parents would have  a nice, quiet morning while we slept in.  

 

 

Tonight as I look at our little Christmas tree all is quiet.  The children are grown and have families of their own.  I'm sure that the excitement is high in those homes and those little ones are having a difficult time falling to sleep. One of my sons is missing it tonight as he protects his country in Afghanistan.  I am thankful that I was able to spend every Christmas with my children when they were growing up.  I miss having the whole family together during this time, but I'm thankful for the wonderful family God has given me even if we spend it apart.  I know that we all remember that special time long ago when God sent His son to save the world.

 

Merry Christmas everyone.  May you  have a wonderful time with family and friends and don't forget to pray for those men and women who aren't able to be with their families during this time.