“You will see in the world what you carry in your heart” (Creig Crippon)
Christmas and the run up to Christmas can be an emotional time for all of us. We carry in our hearts pockets of memories from the past and from the present moment in time. Have you ever used, or considered using a glass jar and filling it with special memories you wish to keep? These ‘memory jars’ are an outward version of how our hearts and souls are, in that they each hold precious memories. I particularly like the thought of my open heart giving birth to Love and new life, especially in the form of a butterfly!
As we know Mary the blessed mother of Jesus, stored up her memories too, even the one when she was told that her heart would be broken “Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your soul as well”. (Luke 2:34-35)
I would think that Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem had spoken together and shared their anticipation and perhaps even their fears of what has and is to happen, the responsibility upon their lives and perhaps wonder how their child’s birth will change their world. Like many journeys, by the time you reach your destination you think you would have a better understanding of what led you to embark on that road and what you hope to expect at the end. If they thought they would be given a comfortable room and people to help and support them at the time of birth then that wasn’t to be. I often hear that once a baby is born the ‘map’ goes out the window and a new hourly/daily map is created according to the needs of the child. It’s reassuring to know that Mary and Joseph had encountered this too.
The expectant Mary and Joseph’s hearts had been known and enlarged by God in order to lead them away from doubting or questioning but rather enable them to Trust God even more in order that their hearts would continue to see the world as God’s heart has, from the beginning, how ‘they’ intended it to be – Good.
As we know Mary and Joseph weren’t immune from storms and I see them as ‘lighthouses’ beaming out rays of light and hope in the darkness. Their humble ‘yes’ and ‘trust’ is all that is asked of us too, not only at Christmas but at anytime when we are invited to allow God’s Holy Spirit to empower and embrace us in order that our hearts can be made new and we can fulfil the teachings of Jesus to be born again – just as He was born again through the power of the Holy Spirit. (John 3:3)
Blessings upon you this Christmas and may what you carry in your heart give birth to light in the world and may that light twinkle like stars in amongst the darkness.
Margaret McKinnon
Pictures courtesy of my Granddaughter and Son.