Amy J. Brown 0:19
Welcome to Take Heart where our goal is to offer encouragement, give hope and insights, so you can flourish in your journey as a special needs mom. As we explore monthly themes, share inspiring stories and practical tips, our desire is to continue to serve you and new listeners. You can help us spread the word by subscribing, leaving a review and sharing the podcast with others. Sara, Carrie, and I want to thank you for being here today.
(1:07) This month, we're going to change things a little bit and offer you some reflections on the Christmas story. I'd like to start by reading Luke 2:8. I know this is familiar, but listen to the words. "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven and on the earth peace on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened..."So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in a manger. When they had seen him, they spread word concerning what they had been told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
(2:32) Now the birth of Jesus is a familiar story. We've all seen it depicted in many a Christmas play. Mary, hugely pregnant on a long journey, riding a donkey. Joseph going to the inn and finding that there's no room. Shepherds minding their own business and all of a sudden the sky lights up with a heavenly host announcing the birth of a Savior and angels singing glory to God in the highest and peace on earth. I love this story, and I have to say that I can identify with Mary a bit. I also took a long journey to have a baby far away from home. After years of infertility and miscarriage, we finally got pregnant with our third child, which was wonderful. But the problem was, we were moving to Kenya for two years to be missionaries. I moved to Kenya when I was five months pregnant with Evan. There were several times I thought what am I doing here? It was scary. I didn't have my own familiar doctor or my own familiar hospital. I had to embrace the unknown to welcome Evan into this world. Mary also had to embrace the unknown and the unfamiliar to welcome life. But she said yes to life. The journey was long and not what she imagined. She pondered in her heart the truth of who her son was. She didn't have to understand or know all the details, but she kept it in her heart and trusted God. This same Mary watched her sweet swaddled baby grow up into a man. She's the same Mary that was at a wedding feast and told the servants, "Do whatever He tells you to do," ushering in Jesus's first public miracle: turning water into wine. This same Mary sat at the foot of her Lord and her child's cross. I really don't know how she did this, but she kept God's truth in her heart. Mary continued to say yes, over and over again throughout her life. She was willing to say yes to life and let all of this be born in her. Not just a baby in Bethlehem, but a lifetime of yeses and a lifetime of new birth.
(4:57) The season can be so lovely with Christmas music, family and gifts, but under the glow of the twinkle lights the season can be hard for special needs moms. You may be lonely, discouraged. Maybe you're missing someone or something you can't even name. No matter where you are in this nativity season., can I ask you to ponder these questions? What is being born in you this season? What new life can you hold in your arms as you ponder the birth of the Messiah? Can you look around you at the life you are living, this beautiful precious life, and see the hope? Yes, I know the road can be bumpy and arduous, and there are many unknowns. Can you ponder the truth that God is always with us in your heart like Mary? Maybe you're having a hard time seeing life right now. But I want you to remember that life was born in the smelly stable. Life was born at a wedding celebration, and life was born at the cross. Life is Immanuel, God with us. No matter where we are in this season.
(6:14) Lord, may we recognize your presence on this long journey and find comfort in you. May we see the gifts of growth, life and hope that you give us in this season. Grant us patience when we do not see your blessings. Help us to notice the life you place in our daily lives. Help us to be attentive to what has been born in us. Give us ears to hear your sacred whisper as you guide us towards you. Let us look up to the sky with expectant hope and never forget the miracle of Emmanuel, God with us.
(6:58) Thanks for joining us this week on Take Heart. Our prayer each week is for your heart to be encouraged. We are grateful you are walking on the journey with us. Be sure to subscribe to our monthly newsletter at www.takeheartspecialmoms.com, and follow us on Instagram or Facebook @takeheartspecialmoms. If you have any questions or comments, follow the links on our show notes. We love hearing from our listeners. Thanks for listening and tune in next week when Carrie will share her reflections about Advent.