Christmas for Me

I know that that people here come from all religions and backgrounds. Today I am going to share my beliefs about this time of year and why I celebrate Christmas. It is deeply ingrained in my heart and I cherish it. I would ask if you feel differently that we have the discussion after Christmas. I am a bit fragile this time of year. I miss my Mom, and I know she is fine, she was everything Christmas when she was on this earth.

Mary, a virgin, gave birth to the Christ child. How could that happen? With God all things are possible. God had a plan and sending his son to teach us was a part of that plan.

In my family we spend a lot of time talking about Mary and Joseph and how hard their burden must have been. Although it has been prophesied, no one believes the girl next door was the chosen one to give birth to the Christ child. Imagine Joseph as he heard the story that Mary was repeating. I am so sure he thought, “Oh dear, I have a crazy girlfriend that I love. What can I possibly do with this information? No one is going to believe her, us.”

So what happened. God sent Joseph an angel to help him understand. Here is the version from the bible.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”

What a brave couple.

We had a nativity set up in our home. It was ceramic and one Mom made. The day after Thanksgiving, we woke up to everything Christmas and the Nativity was out. The manger was empty. There was no Christ Child there. The very first thing that happened in the wee hours of Christmas in our home was to check and make sure that the baby was in the manger. That was and is the Christmas Miracle every year in my heart.