some Christmas thoughts

Hmmm...just started blogging yesterday and on my third one...I think maybe I was really needing an outlet? :)

This morning I have read the Christmas story in Luke, and am so blessed and joyfully thankful for this Bright and Shining Gift! Oh how He love us!

I was especially delighted when reading about how Mary went to see her cousin Elizabeth following her visit from the Angel. Elizabeth was 6 month along at this point, apparently fresh out of her seclusion. The Message says she went away by herself for 5 months, "relishing her pregnancy". I love that! ...Anyway, Elizabeth says to her "Blessed woman, who believed what God said, believed every word would come true". I want to be a blessed woman like that!

The part about Elizabeth's relishing her pregnancy is lovely too... as a mommy myself I understand that in a personal way. Even thru the discomforts and various strange effects of pregnancy, I did relish it! I remember when I was carrying Trenton it was Christmas time and I was so tired and huge and I said to my sister Bea, wow, it really makes me think of how Mary must have felt, riding a mule for hours at a time...

Well I will leave you this morning with the words of Zachariah, in the temple after John was named and he regained his speech- "...thru the tender mercy of our God whereby the Dayspring from on High hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide your feet into the way of Peace"

The message of Christmas, light and peace.