They Really Lived

Tomorrow is the Christmas show at our church. I am playing the role of Mary, Wesley is Joseph and Randol is the Bethlehem star. I don't say any lines or have to do any real acting, but I cannot stop thinking about the kind of woman Mary was. I may only be wearing a blue robe and holding a baby, but I can't help but feel unworthy to even do that.

So often when I think of Jesus, I think of the "Man Jesus"; the one who healed people and walked for miles, the one who ended up dying on a cross and being whipped and beaten to the point of non recognition. I forget that that same man, started out as a baby and that baby had a mother. She felt him kick within her womb just as I feel my own child doing in my womb right now. She felt the labor pains and was overwhelmed with love when she finally got to look upon that sweet face that she'd been dreaming about for so many months. We live in a day and age of germ killing agents. As I think of her placing her newborn baby in a feeding trough, I am reminded that there were no antibacterial wipes or bleach or Lysol to wipe it down with. This child didn't have a "going home from the hospital" outfit. He was dressed in a simple piece of cloth to keep warm.

Last night as we practiced for the play, the kings came one by one bearing their gifts. I thought about how proud I am of my own children when they do something and I get to go and share it with someone else. There Mary was, holding this infant and shepherd's came, traveling by foot just to see her tiny baby. Then once they arrived, they knelt down and worshipped Him. The kings traveled for possibly three years just to find Him. I wonder what that felt like. She had to of known that she was not holding just some ordinary baby, she truly was holding the Savior of the world.

What was it was like day to day to live her life? She was young and this was her first child. I wonder if she had someone there to show her how to change baby Jesus' diaper and what did they do back then without gas drops and baby wipes? I wonder how often He kept her awake crying at night or how many times He spit up on her as she was about to go visit a friend. This man we call Jesus, was once a baby. He toddled around at his parents feet and helped His earthly father in his workshop. He played games with his siblings and told them stories. He grew to a teenager and got hair on His face and under His arms. His voice changed and His muscles got more defined. Mary had no choice but to sit and watch her baby boy become a man.

Christmas is the beginning of not just Jesus' story here on earth, but of our story in heaven with Him. That very night that the angels came and God placed that bright star in the sky, it was the beginning of our salvation. It was the beginning of our story. If God had never sent Jesus, then He never could have died for you and for me, to take our sins away. "For God so loved the world that He sent His one and only son and whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). Think of how different our lives would be if we still had to sacrifice animals to atone for our sin. How hopeless I'd feel if I had to wait for God to send a prophet to tell me His will or if I had to rely on a priest to go to God for me. We take for granted the privilege that we can approach the throne of grace with confidence-anytime we want. We don't have to wait on a person or an event, we only have to cry out and He will hear us.

I hope that as you begin this Christmas season, that you will not forget that tiny baby who laid in a manger or of the mother who carried Him in her womb. Don't forget, His earthly father who helped to raise him. When you are in a store and you pass by a nativity scene in a box, remember that those people really lived. There really was a baby and shepherds and a manger.
And there really is a God in the heavens who loves us enough to sacrifice His One and Only just for you and for me. That is what Christmas is really all about.

I invite you to come see

On This Very Night

Morningside Baptist Church

Columbus, Georgia

Saturday, December 6 at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 7 at 5:00 p.m.

The show lasts about an hour and

there is childcare for children 4 and under.

A Tribute to My Man Part 2

Last year on Welsey's birthday, I posted a few fun facts about him. It was so popular, that to commemorate his birthday today, I thought I'd do it again. I tried not to repeat any from last year. If you missed it, you can check it out at http://oneofhisown.blogspot.com/2007/12/tribute-to-my-man.html .

Hope you enjoy and learn something new about my Wesley!

1. He used to have a contest with his college buddies over who could eat a sack full of Krystal's the fastest.

2. He once ate a whole hot dog in one bite.

3. He also ate a whole taco in one bite (what is it with college guys and food competitions :-)

4. If we are ever at your house and you see him sitting in the kitchen, it's not because he's not being sociable, it's because there's probably a ceiling fan on in the living room and they tend to give him migraines.

5. His favorite television series is Lost.

6. He always knew he wanted a lots of children and God willing, lots of grandchildren.

7. He is not squirmish around babies and in fact, loves playing with their toes or "tootsies" as he calls them.

8. He is currently the 2nd to youngest attorney in the DA's Office.

9. He is currently the 2nd to youngest deacon in our church.

10. His favorite donut is a Duncan Donut Blueberry donut hole.

11. The only bone he has ever broken is his collar bone. It was at the end of his kindergarten year and he decided to be a dare devil and jump off the top of the slide. He paid the consequences all summer long when he couldn't go swimming.

12. The one thing he absolutely hates to drink is water!

13. He does not like any type of oriental food.

14. He loves Godfather's pizza so much, that we drove an hour last summer when we were on vacation, to eat at the closest restaurant! The smile on his face and memories we made, made it all worth it!

15. He loves to play old arcade games.

16. The only things he can cook are Ramen noodles, hot dogs and PB & J.

17. If he ever went on a date and really didn't like the girl too much, his famous last words would be, "I'll call you sometime!" Thankfully I never heard those words personally!

18. He may not be "outdoorsy" in the sense of wanting to go hunting or fishing, but every year when the leaves start to change and the air gets a little cooler, he starts saying, "Lets go to the woods!" He loves the peacefulness of it.

19. He hiked all 23 miles of the Pine Mountain Trail two weeks ago!

20. He is a firm believer that every one of our children should have some silly nick name. And I don't get to help choose.

21. He loves surprises and never wants to find out what we are having when I'm pregnant. Sometimes I'll give in and wait.

22. He is a homebody. He'd love nothing more than to stay at home on the weekends and sit around watching football or playing with the kids. I'm the opposite, always ready to go somewhere and can only sit for a little while!

23. He correctly guessed that we were going to have a boy with our last two pregnancy's. He says this one's a boy too, will he keep his streak going or finally be wrong?

24. He always tells Randol that she's not allowed to get married until she's 65 years old!

25. He cannot stand cold weather.

26. As a joke, he has different levels in how people cook, he says the top level (which signifies that you are a really good cook, or you made a really good meal) is the "Grandmother status". He'll eat just about anything and always tells me thank you for cooking, but I always know I cooked a really good meal when he says, "Wow Marion, you hit Grandmother status!"

27. Every year he goes Christmas shopping for me in less than three hours and buys every single one of my presents. He is a man on a mission!

28. Randol calls him the Principal when it comes to school stuff. He is in charge of her book reports and some of her history.

29. He is not a yard person. He gets so excited when the grass starts to turn brown and fall sets in because then he won't have to cut the grass.

30. He's not a big chocolate lover, but his favorite chocolate candy is Crunch bars, Hershey's with Almonds and Kit Kat.

31. I asked our 9 year old if she had any fun facts she'd want to share about her Daddy. She said, "He's the best dad in the world! He tickles us and chases us and he's really sweet to my mom. Oh, and he's also really funny!"

I don't think I could've said it any better!