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A night like no other – What Mary knew



The night that Jesus was born was a night like no other. Over the next five days, Salvos Online will run a series entitled ‘Key players tell their side of the Christmas story’. Our writers will take on the roles of Mary, Joseph, the angels, the shepherds, and the wise men, and imagine the Christmas story from their perspectives.

 

BY ANDREA REDFORD

 

I look down at my newborn baby, wrapped up and cosy as he sleeps. I take in the delicate curl of his tiny eyelashes, the gentle rise and fall of his chest as he breathes. I notice the way his little fingers curl into fists, like he’s ready for a fight or hanging on tightly to something precious. I could watch him all day.

 

This is my son, I think. My beautiful boy. I shake my head, still not quite believing the fact that I’m now a mum. So much has happened. So much.

 

A BIG SURPRISE

It all started with a visitor at home in Nazareth, an angel sent from God, believe it or not. He said “Good morning” and told me that God had a surprise for me! Excuse me, what? I was confused, alarmed, scared … you name it.

 

But the angel went on to reassure me that God loves me, that everything would be ok and that I would become pregnant and have a son called Jesus.

 

And then he told me that my cousin Elizabeth (my very OLD cousin Elizabeth) was pregnant as well. Putting it mildly, it was a lot to take in.

 

But the thing is, despite how crazy this whole encounter was, how seemingly unbelievable everything he told me was, I did believe. My faith in God has always been a huge part of me, and it didn’t leave me in that moment.

 

It’s hard to describe, it’s such a personal thing to experience, but a peace settled on my heart in a way that left me feeling grateful … amazed and grateful.

 

That’s not to say that everything that’s happened since has been easy. The journey here to Bethlehem was long and uncomfortable. And, of course, giving birth wasn’t exactly easy either – is it ever?

 

I know, too, that this whole situation has been difficult for Joseph. He is a good man. No, scratch that – he is a wonderful man. Standing by me in our culture? With all its rules about how a woman’s life should and shouldn’t be? Takes a brave man.

 

Not everyone has been kind to me, that’s for sure. Hardly anyone showed any grace or understanding for a situation I had no control over. Whatever doubts he’s had along the way, Joseph has still trusted God and he’s been the friend and partner I needed. I know he saw our life playing out differently. I did too.

 

But here we are, and everything is exactly as God told us it would be. We are married and have a precious baby to care for. And we are here in Bethlehem, at least for now.

 

WHAT LIES AHEAD

Jesus has started to stir. His little head turns from left to right, he arches his back and stretches his arms above his head.  He’ll be awake soon and ready to be fed.

I treasure these quiet moments and think about all that lies ahead.  I smile thinking about the laughter and joy of watching Jesus grow. But I’m realistic; I know that being a mum isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. There’ll be frustration! Exasperation! And worry. Somehow, I know there’ll be great sadness, too.


But it’s more than that. The angel told me that Jesus would be a king and would be called the Son of God. And the shepherds who visited us said an angel told them that my little baby is a “Saviour” and “the Messiah, the Lord”!


What incredible things are ahead for Jesus? For all of us? These questions lie deep in my heart; they’re hard to stop thinking about.


I don’t know exactly what it all means yet. All I do know is that everything God has said so far has been true.  Why should this be any different?

 

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