Meditations with Mary IV

Luke Chapter 2:14-19

"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart."

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Reflection

When we read how Mary pondered many things in her heart, many mistake this to believe that Mary did not know who Jesus is.

Is it more the case that Mary knowing fully who Jesus is, yet still pondered the fact that the Divine God would lower Himself to a mere creature. A vulnerable baby, in need of nurturing and care, indeed in need of love.

Through Mary we can also glimpse that there is much to ponder the Creator of all becomes the created, wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger. No-one had made room for this Prince of Peace, there were no vacancies for the King of Kings.

Is Christ still yearning for a place in your heart? This Prince, this King this Divine God who gave all, for love of...you.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

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Meditation with Mary III

Meditation

Luke Chapter 2:1-7

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

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Reflection

When we read this Scripture it reminds us that Joseph and Mary lived ordinary lives in an extraordinary way. Caesar had ordered this enrollment both Joseph and Mary like many others were obeying the law, neither of them thought themselves above the law of the land or better than others.

This display of obeying the law like any other people shows both Joseph and Mary's complete humility without the least bit of subservience to those in authority.

Yet, Mary was heavy with child, this must have been a troubling thought for Joseph as they journeyed together towards Bethlehem. It also must have been a difficult journey for Mary as she was jostled about on the donkey. We cannot imagine what thoughts were running through Joseph and Mary's mind but we can imagine the ordeal of having to travel quite a distance at such an hour of Promise.

Perhaps it is like how many of us journey on our path of faith. At times the road seems difficult it brings us great hardship and discomfort, but the outcome is worth it. We would not be where we are if we had not taken that first step into the unknown.

Like Joseph and Mary we travel a path known only to God. Do we do this from a spirit of obedience or do we begrudge every step?

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

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