“But Mary kept all these things like a secret treasure in her heart. She thought about them over and over.” Luke 2:19 (NIrV)
“So God throws open the door of this world—and enters as a baby. As the most vulnerable imaginable. Because He wants unimaginable intimacy with you.
What religion ever had a god that wanted such intimacy with us that He came with such vulnerability to us? What God ever came so tender we could touch Him? So fragile that we could break Him? So vulnerable that His bare, beating heart could be hurt? Only the One who loves you to death.” Ann Voskamp
- Get a warm drink, find a comfortable spot, and enjoy a few moments with God!
- Read Luke 1:26-56, Luke 2:4-7 and Luke 2:19, Deuteronomy 6:1-9
Mary, the Mother of Jesus
I have four young boys, so there have been four Christmas nights that I’ve been awake through the quiet hours of the night and early morning with a newborn. These moments always give me a chance to reflect on the very first Christmas.
What was Mary thinking and feeling as she held her little one in her arms in those quiet moments? Was she scared? Excited? Curious? Joyful? Luke 2:19 tells us “But Mary treasured up all of these things and pondered them in her heart.” What was she pondering?
I stare into my little boy’s face and wonder: Who will he become? Did Mary know who Jesus would become?
Was she overwhelmed at the thought that God had entrusted her to raise His Son—a child who would bring Hope and Peace for all eternity? Was she afraid she might do something wrong?
As I hold my little ones in my arms, I too, can begin to feel afraid. Though I didn’t give birth to Jesus, I am raising a child of God! A child who has the potential to bring hope to a hurting world. A child who can bring the Good News to others! What if I mess up? Do I have what it takes? Then I remember that God chose this child for me at this time.
Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified…for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Wow, just bask in those words for a minute. We don’t need to fear. Our Father God never leaves us. He is with us!
What are things we, as mothers, can do to mold these young lives as they become followers of Christ and make a positive difference in this world?
Most importantly, ask for God’s help every single day! Ask Him for wisdom because James 1:5 tells us “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
God will give you the wisdom and strength to be the best mother you can be. Rely on Him! Allow Him to empower you every minute of every day!
Here are some other suggestions for raising young men and women of God:
- First, stay present. Look at your children in the eye and answer their questions.
- Smile and remind them that they are loved—by you and by God!
- Say “I’m sorry” when you mess up. (We all mess up!)
- Talk about the goodness of God—sharing stories of what He has done in your life and the lives of others. Deuteronomy 6:7 instructs us to “Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
- Pray together—for their “owies,” for their friends, and for their concerns.
- Sing and read together.
- Love their Daddy. (If you are separated or divorced, continue to speak only good things about their dad).
Above all—rely on God and ask for His divine help.
Each day is a new day: an opportunity to ask God for help; a new day to stay present in your children’s lives; a chance to watch for what God is already doing in your child’s heart and life; and an occasion to come alongside to encourage that work!
God chose you for this task and with His help, you can do the incredible work of raising a child of God!
Blessings and Love,
Kathryn Egly and the Help Club for Moms Team
Questions to Ponder
- Ask God to show you how to be the best mother you can be. (Write down what He puts on your heart.)
- How can I invest in myself?
- How can I intentionally invest in my children in the coming year?
Faith-Filled Ideas
Talk with your children about the good things God has done in your life!
Tell your children what you love about God.
Ask them what they love about their Heavenly Father.
This devotional comes from our book “The Wise Woman Abides.” You can find it HERE!
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