The Face of God

“So it was, when the angels had gone away from them

into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another,

‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that

has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.’

And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph,

and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had

seen Him, they made widely known the saying which

was told them concerning this Child. And all those who

heard it marveled at those things which were told

them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

      Luke 2:15-19 (NKJV)

I’ve been thinking a great deal of Mary this Christmas season.  The amazement and wonder she felt at hearing the angel announce her role in the Messiah’s coming.  Considering the impact on her life and Joseph’s.  Experiencing the reactions of Elizabeth and the unborn baby John; the rejoicing of the shepherds and later, the worshiping of the Magi.  Learning of the suffering to come from Simeon. How did Mary respond?  She exhibited a simple, trusting faith.  She was humble, obedient to God’s will, submissive to His plan.  Mary exalted the Lord for regarding her “lowly state” and doing great things for her.  And she pondered all these things in her heart.

As a mother, I remember the thrill when my son was born—how cherished he was, how precious his little fingers and toes were, how sweet his cheeks were to kiss, how dear every development “milestone” was, how I loved to cuddle and hold him close.  Mary must have felt these things too.  And yet this Babe was not only her beloved child, He was her Savior!  As the song goes, when she kissed her little baby, she kissed the face of God!

Emmanuel. . .God became flesh to dwell among us. . .to be with us.  Like Mary, let us ponder these things in our heart, let us wonder and rejoice at how God has regarded our lowly state and done great things by proving for us a Savior!

Wishing you a blessed Christmas!