Conversations About Mary

Of all the people involved in Jesus' birth, I've always wondered the most about Mary. Of all the Jewish women in the world at that time, God chose her to be the mother of Jesus. What was it about her that made God choose her? We know she wasn't perfect. We know she was young -- probably just a teenager. She wasn't married, and she had no experience being a mother. What was it about her that made her the one to be Jesus' mother?

I think we find the key in her reactions to everything that happened. When the angel appeared to Mary and told her she was going to have a baby, she asked some questions -- who wouldn't? But, her final response was this "'I am the Lord’s servant,' Mary answered. 'May your word to me be fulfilled.'" She was a woman with a great faith in God and a spirit that was accepting of His plan.

There's no way that Mary could know what being the mother of Jesus would mean. She couldn't have known that she would watch Him perform miracles and then watch Him die on a cross. Jesus would bring her great joy and the greatest of sorrows. Through it all, we see Mary simply being Jesus' mother.

When the shepherds came to see her newborn son -- whom she'd had in a dirty stable, of all places -- her response was this "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19). Mary knew that what was happening was an amazing blessing from God, so she treasured the moments in her heart.

Can you imagine being Jesus' mother? Jesus was perfect. While we all wish for the perfect child, can you imagine raising one? Can you imagine the feelings of inadequacy that raising the perfect son of God would create in a mother? Yet, throughout Jesus' life, we see Mary in the midst of things. She was there at his birth, when he performed his first miracle and at his death. She clearly loved Him as any mother loves her child.

Spend some time today bringing Mary alive for your children. Making sure your kids understand that the story of Jesus' birth isn't just another story that we read -- it really happened -- is important. It's so easy for our kids to just throw the stories of the Bible into the mix of everything else they see and read and not really recognize that Jesus is real. Making the retelling of the story come alive for them helps them to understand that the people involved were real. They had feelings and concerns.

Read Luke 1 and 2 with your kids and have them focus on what Mary says and does. Depending on their age, ask your kids these questions about Mary:

• How do you think Mary felt when the angel appeared to her? Point out that the Bible tells us she was afraid.
• How old do you think Mary was? Tell your kids that she was only a teenager.
• How do you think it felt to be pregnant and ride a donkey on the long trip to Bethlehem?
• What do you think Mary thought about having her baby in a stable?
• How do you think Mary felt when the shepherds appeared?

Be real with your kids. Tell them about the dirty stable, the uncomfortable journey to Bethlehem and what the Bible tells us about Mary's feelings. Make her come alive for your children so that Jesus becomes real to them as well.

And That's What Christmas is All About, Charlie Brown

I love the Charlie Brown Christmas special. Every year when we sit down to watch it I get goose bumps when Linus recites Luke 2. I think it's amazing that in our politically correct world that has taken the Christ out of Christmas that millions of people still sit down and watch a TV show that overtly explains that Jesus is the reason that we celebrate Christmas.

A few years ago, I found a new ornament for our Christmas tree. The ornament has Linus standing on a stage. When you push the button, you hear him recite Luke 2, finishing with the words "And that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." I brought it home and hung it on our tree.

My youngest was fascinated with the ornament. She would push the button over and over again. By the time Christmas rolled around, she could recite Luke 2 along with Linus.

Without even meaning to, I had provided my child with the opportunity to hear and learn the scripture that explains Jesus' birth. After that experience, I began to look for more ways that my kids could encounter Christ during this season of His birth. The more opportunities we give ourselves to talk with our kids about the true meaning of Christmas, the more He will become real to them. Try some of these ideas:

• Put nativity scenes in every room. Make sure you have at least one nativity scene that your children can touch and play with. As they play with the figures, you can talk with them about Jesus' birth.
• Put ornaments on your tree that include the story of Jesus. Hallmark has a fantastic ornament this year that tells the entire story of Jesus' birth. It's a countdown ornament, so each day you turn the base of the ornament and it tells a different part of the story.
• Find decorations that include Jesus, scripture or references to God. As your kids see and read those decorations, it will reinforce what Christmas is really about.

Take a few minutes and analyze how you can incorporate the message of Christ's birth into your home in subtle ways that will impact your children. And as we close today, I'd like to leave you with Linus' words from Luke 2:

Lights, please

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.