12.24.24 Christmas Eve @ Tulip CC - Mary’s Joy as a Baby Changes Everything

Mary’s Day - The First Christmas Eve

Think back with me to when you learned a new baby or grandchild was on the way. Do you remember the first time you learned that news? Remember the excitement and joy? The curiosity and questions?

Remember as the day approached closer and closer, not knowing the hour or day…but knowing when it was close. It is like the rest of the world stops for the arrival of a new baby. Parents don’t go to work, grandparents are on call.

Few things if any compare to the expectation and news of an arriving baby. What a joyous time.

A BABY CHANGES EVERYTHING

What was this day like for Mary a couple thousand years ago?

Nine plus months she had experienced fear, worry, ridicule, discomfort, excitement, joy, concern, uncertainty. Nine months waiting, wondering, imagining, nesting, planning, preparing, dreaming.

What was she thinking this morning?

Had contractions started?

Frustrated to be away from home, way from familiar comforts, in a manger area?

Angry with Joseph for dragging her to Bethlehem? Irritated that there wasn’t some government exemption or mail in census for families with travel restrictions.

Looking around at this place where they were staying, and concerned for the health and well being of her soon to arrive baby boy?

Who was there with her?

Joseph…or was he out meeting with relatives?

The wife and daughters of the house? Did she know them?

Maid servants? Could the family where they stayed afford them?

Were they happy to have the extra guests? Why couldn’t they have gotten the nice couple who didn’t yet have kids and would quietly come and go? Could Mary here them whispering about here condition, and not even married? Had they heard the story of how she became pregnant? How could they believe it?

No bed to rest in? No peace to take a nap? Was laying on the cold hard ground covered in straw what Mary had hoped for?

But then the cry of a baby pierced the cool night area. And every concern, anxiety, frustration, and worry was wiped away.

A BABY CHANGES EVERYTHING

For the first time God the Created fully joined the created. The Almighty King came into the world as a baby boy. Resting with His mom in a dirty, damp, dingy manger. Visitors came to adore Him, the village people heard the news, the doors and windows full of spectators.

Mary didn’t get a quiet night with Joseph and Jesus. She didn’t have nurses willing to change the first diapers. Instead she was 80 miles from home, with a new infant to care for. Yet we don’t see Mary complain or withdraw.

Instead, “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” She was filled with Joy, knowing what I pray we know today…

Luke 2:16–20 (NIV)

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

A BABY CHANGES EVERYTHING

As we spend our final few minutes together this Christmas Eve, some of our youth are going to be handing out candles while others pass the light from the Christ candle. In this still and quiet time let us treasure the gift we were given in baby Jesus, pondering the love of God in our hearts. Imagine yourself there in that little manger, looking upon the Lord and His family.

And this Christmas, let us remember….A BABY CHANGES EVERYTHING