Cherishing Christ Like Mary And The Shepherds

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” Luke 2:19-20, NIV

Twelve months. According to my doctor, after trying for over twelve months, you’re technically infertile. I looked at him with surprise and hurt, and wondered if I would ever hold a baby in my arms.

I vowed that if I would ever be so blessed, that I would enjoy every moment, take in every little squeal with delight, and faithfully and creatively take photos for every milestone and month to pass.

I remember the exact moment when the doctor told me that there was a tiny unborn baby in my womb. And I remember the bleeding that drove me to rush to the ER. The nurse put that jelly on my stomach and told me that at seven weeks gestation almost all babies have a heartbeat strong enough to hear through an external wand. No heartbeat.

The nurse left, and my husband and I talked and cried. She came back with a raised eyebrow and said that she’d like to check with the internal wand, if I would let her. On that day, I heard my son’s heartbeat for the first time. I will never forget that sound, and the nurse who had the faith when I didn’t.

My son is now three years old, and he has a baby sister. Together they play on the living room floor, him with fire trucks, and her with rattles. My daughter is too young to speak, but my son loves imagining that she’s speaking to him. I sit on the couch and fold laundry and watch them. These memories prompt me to give thanks to God for His grace in letting me shepherd these precious babies.

While I can’t say that I enjoy every moment (and don’t think that’s a healthy perspective), I thoroughly enjoy and cherish my children. I look to their futures with hope and joy, and praise God for entrusting me with shepherding their souls.

While I heard that I was pregnant from a doctor, Mary heard from an angel of the Lord. While I was attempting a pregnancy, Mary wasn’t, and had no relations with any man. Yet I find that we have something in common: our response.

In Luke 2:18-20, we are told the story of Jesus’ birth announcement. At first one angel, and then several, appeared to a bunch of sleepy shepherds on one appointed night.

Can you imagine this from the perspective of the shepherds? An angel of the Lord appeared to them. They were told not to fear, but to go seek a newborn baby…oh, by the way, this baby is Christ the Lord.

Where was he? Certainly not an exciting location for the King of the World, wrapped in strips of what was probably Mary’s dress, lying in an animal feeding bin. It would be easy to be incredulous about this request, even coming from a host of angels. But they were faithful and fulfilled the angel’s request.

Like the shepherds, this Christmas we need to believe God’s promises and tell others the Good News.

The first coming of Christ led to adoration and doubt. There will be no doubt with His second coming, but rather regret and mourning.

According to Christ Himself, this time the angels will not be announcing a birth, but calling with a loud trumpet, gathering His followers from all the earth, and all of the nations will mourn (Matthew 24:30-31).

This Christmas, cherish Christ. When you build memories with Him, you’ll respond just as Mary and the shepherds did: spending time with him, treasuring Him in your heart, and sharing the news with others.

Author: Sarah Hardee from www.christcenteredmama.com