Christmas Reflections

I find that each year, the Holy Spirit presses a different aspect of the Christmas story on my heart. This year, in light of the overturn of Roe v. Wade and the resulting vicious battle from state to state surrounding abortion, I was struck by Mary and Joseph's humble and joyous acceptance of a mysterious pregnancy.  Think about it!  

Mary was a young girl living among the poor working class.  The angel Gabriel's news of her pregnancy was not an easily welcomed message.  If she accepted to birth this mysterious baby, she would face consequences: rejection by her family and fiancé, gossip and ridicule forever surrounding her name, giving birth and raising a child alone... if she lived to do so.  The penalty among the Jews for immorality (what other Jews would believe Mary did) was death.  Mary literally risked facing a death penalty!  Yet she accepted to carry this holy baby to term.  She did not attempt to refuse God's will or abort the baby.  She accepted to walk an unknown, scary path with faith that God would care for her because honoring life's sacredness is His will. 

Today, women in most areas of the world do not face a death penalty for becoming pregnant outside of marriage.  Rather, western society is becoming increasingly accepting of single mothers.  Yet these women still face gossip, ridicule, rejection, anger, confusion, loneliness, unknowns and fear.  Western society pushes for abortion because it has forgotten the sacredness of each individual made by God even in the womb (Ps. 139 13-16).  Pregnant women need the love of God to shower on them... through us.  Will you open your heart to advocate for the unborn, reach out to pregnant and single mothers, and care for babies who have no parents?

"My soul glorifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 

for He has been mindful

of the humble states of His servant...

His mercy extends to those who fear him,

from generation to generation (the unborn children)...

He has brought down rulers from their thrones

but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things"

-Luke 1:46-53 (Italics mine)

Abortion v. right to life is painted as solely a women's issue.  I, however, believe that is one hundred percent false.  God not only worked in Mary's heart to accept Jesus' mysterious arrival to her womb; additionally, He worked in Joseph's heart.  Joseph is a severely under-recognized hero of the Christmas story.  After all, in a culture where adultery and immorality were punishable by death, Joseph- a righteous man (Mat. 1:19)- went against his entire nature, culture and belief system to adopt a son not of his own seed.  God empowers men to make the difference in the lives of children.  I've seen dozens of children in my home village and around the world face physical and emotional challenges because their fathers left or do not care for them.    

So, Joseph is the call to all men: God empowers you to support women and love children.

"For You created my inmost being;

You knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from You

when I was made in the secret place.

When I was woven together...

Your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me

were written in Your book

before one of them came to be."

-Psalm 139:13-16 (Italics mine)

Coming from an extended family filled with adopted aunts, uncles and children, I am convinced that a person's worth has nothing to do with their birth, genetic history or how they enter a family.  A person's worth comes from being made in the image of God.  

God gave His Son to the world in such a way that modern western society would say, "abort 'it'".  They would have chosen abortion for the Son of God!  Killing is never the answer.  God creates each individual and loves them with His entire being.  

Imagine, the entirety of GOD of Heaven and Earth completely in love with you!  That's more than enough of a call for us, His children, to love each and every person in our lives from womb to tomb.

A shout out proves necessary here.  Thousands of women face fear, unknowns, loneliness and confusion when they see a positive pregnancy test.  Their emotions and struggles are VALID.  Even Mary was "greatly troubled" (Lk. 1:29) at the announcement of her pregnancy. They need the people of God to step into their lives and pour out the love of God over them in practical ways.  Never underestimate the power of calling a woman to check on her, asking her over for a meal, letting her know your house is open to her, offering to babysit the future baby, praying with her and letting her know God loves her. 

Even after birthing Jesus, Mary and Joseph faced continual trials.  They were forced to flee to Egypt, leaving behind a infant massacre in Bethlehem area.  Likely they asked whether God had truly guided them to take this path.  If so, why must they face continual difficulty?  Why must other infants face death while their baby was spared?  In a world plagued with evil, such questions are unanswerable.  Yet one thing is sure: God protected His Son and those who were caring for Him.

God protects those who walk in His will.  He may allow them to face difficulty, but they will not be overcome.

"When I consider... the works of Your fingers

What is man that You are mindful of him,

the son of many that You care for him?

You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings

and crowned him with glory and honor."

-Psalm 8:3-5

"Glory to God in highest

and on earth peace to men on

whom His favor rests"

-Luke 2:14

"But now this is what the Lord says-

He who created you, O Jacob,

He who formed you, O Israel:

'Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name;

you are Mine'."

-Isaiah 43:1 (Italics mine)

Little child,

You are loved

No matter who you are

No matter how you came

Into this world

No matter who cares for you

Or who doesn't care for you

You are loved

The One who made you

Loves you

With an everlasting love

He came to earth

To chase you down

His hands hold the world

They will never

Never ever

Let you go

Priceless

Rescued

                           Enveloped in God's arms

  Cherished

                                       In God's house is a place for you

Original

          Unreplaceable

Special

"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and if favor with God and man" -Luke 2:52

"Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fail;

but those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength"

-Isaiah 40:30-31

Hopefully this post has given you something to think deeply about as you pass through the remainder of the holiday season.  As a grand finale, I pull out the ultimate announcement of Jesus' arrival...

Unto us a child is born

unto us a Son is given...

The government will be on His shoulders. 

And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David's throne

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness 

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty 

will accomplish this.

-Isaiah 9:6-7