“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:1-19 NIV
What would young Mary be pondering?
· Visiting kings from a distant land
· An irritating tax problem
· Unwanted trip to the hometown of Bethlehem (leave it to Joseph, he took Mary first-class on a mule)
· Finally arriving in Bethlehem, which seems to mean “no vacancy town”
· Imagine doing what your government ordered you to do, and obeying God fully, and now there isn’t even a place to lay your head down to sleep
· At last, a place is found in a family’s stable
· Then the miracle arrived – a baby boy – THE baby boy. Is it possible Mary pondered God’s words to her when he promised that she would give birth to His one and only Son (“The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.” Luke 1:28-31 NIV)
· As she watches, ten thousands of angels appeared heralding THE son’s coming. As Mary looked into her baby Jesus’ eyes, she could see it – heaven’s love and power wrapped up in the fragility of human flesh.
So glance in the mirror, revealing and reflecting the treasures of Mary’s heart. Before you rush off to join the crowd and other ding-a-lings looking for a parking place at the local store, look again in the mirror. What is that? Someone behind her – who is it? Could it be you?
· You, too, may feel the stress of meeting with bosses or other authorities
· You, too, may find the Christmas glow burning off in the fear of this year’s taxes
· Unplanned or unwanted trips
· You may feel at times when gathering with friends and co-workers that you are all alone, almost like there is “no room in the inn” for you.
· This year, you, too, may have seen God do what only God could do – a miracle.
I have seen it. In fact, I am it. I am a miracle.
This past year, I have spent around 85 days in the hospital. The normal hospital stay after a liver transplant is 1-2 weeks. After my transplant, a miracle in itself, the rest of my organs seemed to go crazy. I had a new liver, but then my kidneys, lungs, heart, spleen, pancreas, and bile duct were very sick. This resulted in at least 4 more surgeries.
Ok, so where’s the miracle? I am still here.
In our Eagle’s Wings blog, we have not always shared all the details. This is one of those details. After they removed my spleen, the doctor came out and told my family how well I did, and that the surgery was a success. The next thing, the doctor returned to tell my family I had died. I believe it was just over 2 minutes that I was flat lined. I was gone. And then God sent me back. So the One who died that I might have eternal life now had given me my life again.
This Christmas, take a look in the mirror. See the girl, Mary, and all she pondered. Think about God’s incredible, indescribable gift to you. And remember the One who is THE miracle will make you His miracle.
Treasuring and pondering…Merry Christmas!
Dan
PS: This will be my last entry to Lines from Daniel’s Den. If you enjoy reading these writings, I am starting a new blog called Deep Thoughts from a Shallow Pond, beginning January 1 (www.dansdeepthoughts.blogspot.com ). Hope you can join me there.
