Advent – A Week of Sundays – Waiting for the Son – Mary’s Song

Greetings Dear Reader,

So much of what I do to celebrate Christmas is the journey to the stable.  I think about all that must be for that moment to be realized.  Mary lived in a world where it was a death sentence to be pregnant and unmarried.  We know nothing of the relationship outside of the fact that Joseph did not want her to be killed.  We know her parents sent her away for a time to live with Elizabeth. 

In all of that Mary knew that God had chosen her to bring the Messiah.  In the nine months from the announcement to the birth Mary did a great deal of traveling.  She traveled from Nazareth to Judah and the town of Ein Karem.  This is about 145 km.  She then travels back to Nazareth at three months pregnant; another 145 km.  She then journeys with Joseph to Bethlehem.  This is another 158 km journey.  Walking these distances takes a total of twelve days.

During all this time there is the birth of John the Baptist, the conflict with Joseph over her pregnancy, and a Roman world taxing the Jewish world.  All of this surrounds a mother waiting for her Son.  She is waiting for the Son.  We are waiting aging.  The world is tumultuous again.

As I ponder Christmas Eve my heart is filled with joy and anticipation of the time with my Children and Grand Children.  The corner of my smile, however, considers the difficulties this young family faced in bringing us the Son.  How I celebrate Christmas must include a heart that cherishes what both Mary and Joseph did to make the Advent a reality. 

As I conclude my heart preparation and turn the corner to celebration I do so knowing that this family risked much to make the birth of Christ a reality.  Everything about Christmas is anchored in the birth.  I must continue to wait for the second Advent of the Son even whilst I celebrate the first one.  I cannot celebrate the lights of Christmas without seeing in their shadows the cross.

I join in both journeys; the one to Bethlehem and the one to the cross with a clear realization that my celebration had a price for many others.  It does not diminish my joy but it does remind me that we pay for the party with our dearest blood.

Mary’s Song - Petra

Hold that blanket closer, Mary dear

All the world waits with You for Your day

But for now, the wind is cold and it's drear

And Bethlehem's still so far away

Do you remember the way you felt back then?

Joy and wonder filled your soul

And when the angel slipped away

You knew your life would never be the same

But now, you’re travelin', travelin' on a road

To Bethlehem, wanderin' thoughts fly away

If you knew the road that lay ahead of Him

Would you break down and cry?

Your child is born to die

Feel that hand of strength upon your own

A husband's love that guides along the way

And as his understanding has grown

His hopes too are centered on that day

For do you remember the way he looked back then

Pain and sorrow filled his eyes

'Til when the angel came to say

The Savior's birth was meant to be this way

But now, you’re travelin', travelin' on a road

To Bethlehem, wanderin' thoughts fly away

If you knew the road that lay ahead of Him

Would you break down and cry?

Your child is born to die

Think back on that promise you received

For Him, whom the prophets long believed

Now, belongs to You, You've been chosen to

But He's the one who's gonna shine

We call His name Jesus, Immanuel

He'll save His people from sin and hell

And of His kingdom there will be no end

But now, you’re travelin', travelin' on a road

To Bethlehem, wanderin' thoughts fly away

If you knew the road that lay ahead of Him

Would you break down and cry?

Your child is born to die

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store."