No crib for His bed

I,ve been reading books about the biblical Christmas story to my 21-month-old daughter this week in an attempt to remedy the fact that she can now say “Santa” when she sees a man with a white beard at the grocery store but has no idea who Jesus is.

So, I’ve been telling her the story of a swaddled babe in a manger — a story I’ve heard thousands of times. But this year, I’ve been touched by a different character in that ancient story: Mary. As a mother myself, I can only imagine the emotional trauma and physical discomfort that this wonderful woman endured. She was probably frightened beyond belief as she gave birth in a stable with no mother of her own there to help.

And while all moms think their child is the most wonderful baby in the world and their birth is the most amazing event in history, that was actually true in Mary’s case. And yet there she was, a young woman in a dirty stable.

So this year I’m grateful for the faith and strength of that amazing mother. And I’m also thankful for all of the truly incredible moms who realize they too are raising God’s children.

Hope you and yours have a Merry Christmas.