It’s hard to
believe it’s already Christmas Eve.
Where did the time go? It feels
like my boys just started school yesterday.
I so wish we could freeze time until I can catch up with it all. I don’t know about you, but for some reason
this Christmas season has felt a little different for me.
Maybe the
busyness of our lives is the real culprit here.
We’ve done a lot of running our boys here and there lately. We are running them for school with sports, along
with various activities at church, not to mention time with friends. Some days it has taken BOTH of us running to
get each kid where they needed to be when. I don’t know how single parents swing
it! They must be superheroes!
This year because
of all of the craziness, I decided to cut a few things from our Christmas ‘to
do’ list. We have skipped some normal
traditions in an effort to slow down our pace and savor the season. BUT there is one tradition we will never
skip!
Every year on
Christmas Eve ever since the boys were little we have read them a special
Christmas story. It’s found in a special
book I got years ago called… “Mary’s Treasure Box”.
A few years back
I attempted to buy another copy (to save back so both boys would have a special
book to read to their families) and I was surprised at what I found. Every where I looked online the prices were
over $100 for just ONE book! What on
earth! I couldn’t believe it! I guess at that point they were out of print
or something.
At the time I got
mine, I was working at a Christian Bookstore where with my employee discount it
probably cost me a whole $2 new. Today I
looked up the price and in some places it is a lot cheaper. In case you want to snag this hidden treasure
for your family, I have attached a link for you to check out Here.
What makes this
book so special, you might ask? Well,
simply put it shares the story of Jesus’ birth and life from a mom’s
perspective. It’s Mary’s version of
the story as she shares it with her granddaughter. In an effort to bring it all to life for her
grandchild, she creatively displays a variety of items stored in her treasure box. In there she finds… straw, a cloth, a flute,
gold, frankincense, and even myrrh. Each
item saved back represents a special part of the story.
Over the years, we
have created a treasure box of our own as well, that we open each
Christmas! In it we have placed many of
the items shared from the story. As we
read it each year, we pull out the items one by one and pass them around for
everyone to inspect. Seeing each of them
personally has helped make it real for our boys. Tonight or tomorrow… we will read the story again.
This book is
actually based on a true story if you haven’t figured it out yet. It’s a story of unconditional love,
amazing grace, and enormous sacrifice. It’s a story that is very personal to
me. Recognizing the reality of God’s
overwhelming love for ME has transformed my life.
Seeing the story
in light of Mary’s perspective has challenged me even more since having
children. I can’t even imagine how she
might have felt. Her first child was a
miracle… an unexpected blessing. I
imagine she held on to Him tightly not wanting Him to ever grow up… savoring each
and every moment recording them forever
in her mind. He was different and
deep down she knew it.
Luke 2:19 says…
“…but
Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.” (NLT)
Whether she liked
it or not, she would have to let Him go at an early age. He wasn’t truly hers to keep. He was on loan. Hmm… this really hits home with me.
My
boys are on loan from God too. They are
His! He has a plan and a purpose for
their lives… and it’s going to be amazing!
My job isn’t to shelter them and hold them tight so they never grow up. It’s to help them connect with God personally
so they can discover what He has in mind for their lives.
I’m
sure Mary could see the evidence of God’s hand on her son’s life. He was mature beyond his years at a very
young age. People followed Him. God blessed Him in everything He did. She knew.
She had to hold on to Him loosely.
Some day He needed to be free to live out God’s calling on His
life. I imagine just thinking about it
brought knots to her stomach.
I struggle with
this reality as well. My boys are
growing up way too fast. Both are in
High School now and time is flying by. I
know it will only be a short time and they will be out in the world doing what
God has called them to do. Knots fill my
stomach as I think about it. Are they
ready? Have we prepared them for what is
ahead? Do they know Him well enough to
follow His leading? Parenting involves a
lot of faith… trusting God with our treasures.
There was a time
when I grieved the fact that my kids were growing up. I constantly looked at pictures of younger
years missing the days. But, now it’s
different. I know the day is coming. Growing up is inevitable… boo!
For that reason,
I want to savor the present moments I have with them. I don’t want to miss out on the amazing young
men they are becoming. I want to enjoy every
minute I have left with them now.
Mary’s life was
changed the moment she encountered this precious baby boy and for the
better!
It’s Christmas
time and while many are scurrying around lost in the hustle and bustle of the
material side of it all. I challenge you
to remember the real reason for the season.
Read the story (Here) and allow the birth, life, and death of a special
baby born many years ago impact your holiday season today.
I pray this
Christmas will be different for you. May
God’s presence surround you, His love overwhelm you, and His peace that passes
all understanding consume you. He loves
you dearly friend and He gave His very best gift to you the day Jesus was born…
a second chance at experiencing true “life”.
Luke 2:11 says…
“The
Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem David
Isaiah 9:6 says…
“For a child
is born to us, a son is given to us. The
government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called: Wonderful
Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (NLT)
God turned my
world upside down for good the day I met Him and I have never been the same. I
challenge you to give Him a chance if you haven’t already. You won't regret it! I promise. I am available if you would like to talk more
about this or have questions. Merry Christmas
friends!
Living to leave a
legacy,
Julie
