I wonder if Mary felt homesick for the people and places she loved.
I wonder if she ached to have the support of family and friends around her as she cradled her firstborn child in her arms.
I wonder if she had reached the point of thinking she would do anything to see a friendly face.
Someone to share her joy with.
Someone who would recognise something of the mystery of it all.
She as a new Mum and I doubt in this sense, not much different to any other new Mum whose natural sense would be to show her baby off, to hear others coo and woo and tell her how beautiful He is. To ask His Name and to respond His is the Name above all other names. As they clutched His little fingers would they realise they were the hands that flung stars into space. And on asking His age, recognise His days were numbered and yet the Alpha and the Omega.
I imagine Joseph had been great, a most excellent support – but sometimes we women need just that little bit more.
And then … they came … shepherds … sheepherders of all things. Possibly dirty, smelly, homeless, shepherds. Sent by God … told by an angel of the Saviour’s birth and an angelic choir. Do things come much more mystical? In our familiarity with the story are we in danger of losing some of the awe and wonder of it all?
… And they came, shepherds, to meet with Mary, Joseph and the Christ Child. For them, seeing was believing as they witnessed all they had been told.
For Mary, the kindness of strangers was enormous, memorable for the rest of her life. The shepherds recognised just who they came to worship and returned glorifying and praising God.
‘Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself’.
I have no doubt there have been times in our lives when complete strangers have ministered to us in a most unexpected and yet perfect way. Reflect on the kindness of strangers in your life, and thank God for them.
What experiences do you hold dear, deep within yourself? Tales of the unexpected.
Ask God to use you to the benefit of others. We might never know just whom we are ministering to.
I wonder if she ached to have the support of family and friends around her as she cradled her firstborn child in her arms.
I wonder if she had reached the point of thinking she would do anything to see a friendly face.
Someone to share her joy with.
Someone who would recognise something of the mystery of it all.
She as a new Mum and I doubt in this sense, not much different to any other new Mum whose natural sense would be to show her baby off, to hear others coo and woo and tell her how beautiful He is. To ask His Name and to respond His is the Name above all other names. As they clutched His little fingers would they realise they were the hands that flung stars into space. And on asking His age, recognise His days were numbered and yet the Alpha and the Omega.
I imagine Joseph had been great, a most excellent support – but sometimes we women need just that little bit more.
And then … they came … shepherds … sheepherders of all things. Possibly dirty, smelly, homeless, shepherds. Sent by God … told by an angel of the Saviour’s birth and an angelic choir. Do things come much more mystical? In our familiarity with the story are we in danger of losing some of the awe and wonder of it all?
… And they came, shepherds, to meet with Mary, Joseph and the Christ Child. For them, seeing was believing as they witnessed all they had been told.
For Mary, the kindness of strangers was enormous, memorable for the rest of her life. The shepherds recognised just who they came to worship and returned glorifying and praising God.
‘Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself’.
I have no doubt there have been times in our lives when complete strangers have ministered to us in a most unexpected and yet perfect way. Reflect on the kindness of strangers in your life, and thank God for them.
What experiences do you hold dear, deep within yourself? Tales of the unexpected.
Ask God to use you to the benefit of others. We might never know just whom we are ministering to.
‘Brother let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I may have the grace
To let you be my servant too’
i thank God daily for the kindness of strangers ..... many of whom have become cherished friends x
ReplyDeleteClaire Durrant
Strangers are the friends we haven't met yet x
ReplyDeleteHilary Borthwick
I have loved these. You should have them published.
ReplyDeleteAA