Christmas has come and gone in a flash like it always does. It was a sweet and full Christmas for our family! I will do another post on all the fun we had soon. (When I have a chance to upload pictures.) For today, I wanted to share a little of what the Lord has been showing me the last week or two as I tried to read the story of Jesus' birth with a fresh spirit and really focus in on the details. Two years ago I was able to really personalize Jesus' birth and relate with Mary as I was six months pregnant with our sweet little boy. But this year, I have found myself relating to Mary in a new way. As Cohen approaches two and his independence and will grow stronger each day, I'm challenged to seek the Lord's wisdom on discipline and protection, physically and spiritually! He is so fun, but definitely has his moments of testing the boundaries and mischief. About a year ago is when I began to realize Cohen and I's relationship had to change a little as I began to introduce discipline. No longer was I able to just love and provide for him. As he began to exercise his little will at just 9 or 10 months, I was faced with the reality that discipline and correction were necessary. This was kinda sad as I realized I couldn't just hold, cuddle and feed him anymore. He needed me to teach him what "no" means and that he was under Hector and I's authority. This was an element of our relationship I wasn't excited to introduce, but knew it was for his best! Well, discipline and training has taken on different forms as he has grown over the last year, and he has really done well. Consistency has been key! I just pray this continues as he turns two in just a couple months.
O.K. so back to Mary and the story of Jesus' birth. I carefully read those familiar verses of the angel's announcement to Mary and then to Joseph of the son they would soon have and then raise and those following which tell of their trip to Bethlehem and Jesus' humble birth in a stable. But what really began to strike me is the missing information that would follow Jesus' dedication and circumcision. We know such detail in where he was born and even the prophecies given about him 8 days later in the temple. And then we are left with, "The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him." (Luke 2:41) What? That's all we get? As a mom, I wonder what those years following looked like for Joseph, Mary and Jesus. We don't know anything else until he is 12 years old and they make their annual trip to Jerusalem for Passover. So, I began thinking about Jesus in those early years and Mary as a first-time mom and realized she must have had it pretty easy!! Yes, Jesus was fully human as he was fully God, a mystery I don't claim to understand, so I'm sure he cried when he was hungry, tired, had a dirty diaper or an aching tummy. I'm sure Mary learned his cries as all of us moms do with time and loved caring for and meeting his needs as a baby. But as he approached toddler hood and the time when we begin to see signs of our children's sin nature, what was that like for Jesus? Surely he didn't look at Mary when she told him not to touch something and touch it anyway or throw a fit in anger when he wasn't able to have another cracker. Scripture tells us, he was "tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus was perfect and he had no part of the sin nature that was born into each of us. Often I have thought of this truth as He was faced with temptation as a teenager or adult, but not until this year did I realize it must have been evident even at 2, 3 and 4.
Therefore, I began to realize he and Mary must have had such a special relationship. She may have had to teach him what was acceptable and what was not, but he must have ALWAYS been obedient. Right? Was there ever need for discipline? Did Mary ever have to introduce that element into their relationship? Not that discipline or even moments of frustration with Cohen make me love him any less, but it definitely adds a new dimension to our relationship and a challenge to me as a mom. But for Mary, she must have always had immediate obedience, honor and respect from Jesus...even as a toddler. I can't imagine how close they must have been and the joy Jesus must have brought to her! As he grew, they must have had such special moments together. Yes, he was the Son of God, but God had entrusted Jesus to Mary and Joseph to care for, love and train him in those early years. What an incredible task, but what joy it must have been!
We see only a few verses later, when Mary and Joseph are headed back to Nazareth from celebrating Passover in Jerusalem, and they can't find Jesus. Can you imagine the fear in Mary and Joseph and the confusion? Jesus wouldn't have been the pre-teen that disappeared very often. He must have honored his parents so well and they probably rarely worried about him. But, here they are searching for THREE DAYS and find him in the temple. Mary is obviously hurt and shocked that Jesus could have done this. "Son, why have you treated us this way?" she asks in verse 48. Jesus responds with, "Why is it that you were looking for me? Did you to know that I had to be in My Father's house?" (v.49) It seems like this must have been a turning point in Mary and Joseph's relationship with Jesus. Scripture then says they didn't understand what he said, but surely they must have had to say to themselves..."oh yeah, He's not ours first, he is the Lord's son!" (Side note: Isn't that what we, as moms and dads, should remind ourselves of daily concerning our children?) He was sent to earth for a specific purpose, and he was beginning to pursue that calling. Their role in his life would come to an end. But I love what Luke includes in the following verses. "And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them and His mother treasured all these things in her heart." (v. 51) What incredible evidence of the child Jesus was! He had every right to remain in the temple, but he was honoring his parents and the time had not yet come for him to depart from their household or their authority. I feel like this must have been a wake-up call for Mary and a reminder of Jesus' high calling. I love that Luke gave us this glimpse into their relationship!
So, in reflecting on all this and gaining a better idea of what Jesus' childhood might have looked like I also realized this tight, loving, and honoring relationship between Him and his parents must have made his death so difficult. They knew He had a special calling on His life, but they were still the parents God chose for Him. They spent all those early years loving, caring for, providing for and protecting him. But as he left their home and began his ministry, did they know it would end in a brutal death on a cross? Mark 15:40-41 tells us that Mary was there the day he died, watching from a distance. I can't even fathom watching my son die, much less be crucified in such an undignified way. I love how the movie, "The Passion of Christ," depicts Mary during the crucifixion. It shows flashbacks of Jesus growing up. And surely, all that must have been going on in her head. She must have been remembering all the wonderful years she spent nurturing Him and the bond they developed. What pain, confusion and heartache she must have felt that day! So, as a mom I have found myself again relating to and seeing Mary in a new light. What an incredible woman she must have been and what an incredible calling she had on her life. Although God has not entrusted me with the Savior of the world, He has entrusted me with a precious little boy who He has great plans for. I pray I am found faithful as Cohen's mom and a good steward of the gift and responsibility God has given me in him! What an incredible task before me and any parent!
*Disclaimer: These thoughts and reflections are straight from my heart and mind. I have not thoroughly researched my ideas. So, please do your own searching before accepting them as truth. This is strictly what I believe God was showing me this Christmas season as I dove into the story of Jesus' birth and childhood.
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