I've been thinking a lot over the last few days about how this is going to be a 'lonely' Christmas for us. One without family coming here or us traveling 'home'. Our children are still so young, the traditions that we are starting are very small. There won't be afternoons of hanging out and talking, evenings of games and movies. No extra baking and cooking and plans for outings with the grandparents.
Thinking about it makes me feel really sad. I think about how much I miss family and how I wish we could share this time with them. I told Athan that we really need to make sure we spend some time with friends, it'll make it easier to not feel 'alone'.
Then I shifted my focus off of 'feeling sorry for myself' and really started 'wondering' about the details of that first Christmas. I thought about how Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem. I thought about how alone Mary must have felt, giving birth to her firstborn without her family there. And not even having the comfort and privacy of a nice bed or room. Was it a 'lonely' time for her and Joseph? I think it probably was in some ways. I think she probably would have chosen to be in her own home, with her mother there. She certainly would have wanted to lay her baby in cradle made for him, not a feeding trough. She would have wanted to show him to all her family...
But then I thought about the name Emmanuel 'God with us'. How could she be lonely, knowing she held the Son of God in her arms? God had come to dwell on earth and she had the priviledge of holding him close, nurturing His first moments! I wonder at the awe she must have felt. And think of the song 'Mary did you know?'
I remember Jesus' life and death, and all that He accomplished. I think of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And I remember that 'Emmanuel' wasn't just a name for Mary, Joseph and those who lived and walked with Jesus. It's a name for MY Saviour and His role in my life today.
Christmas doesn't have to be lonely...
