Christmas Challenge

 “Momma, do you know what Christmas is really about?  Do you know that Christmas is Jesus’ birthday!??!!  I am sure glad we know what Christmas is about, Momma. Because some peoples think that Christmas is just about getting gifts and about Santa, but we Bethmanns know it’s about JESUS!”  This was the precious conversation that Kailee Grace and I shared on the way together to church this morning.  Talk about having Unspeakable Joy in knowing your child is getting it!

As parents we long to give our children gifts and shower them with things they want. Normally, by this time we have presents overflowing under our tree for our girls, but this year has been a little different for the Bethmann household.  We have been given the “opportunity” to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and really focus our girl’s eyes on the true meaning behind the celebration of Christmas. 

After hearing Breathe of Heaven on the drive into work 2 weeks ago, and then again during the offertory my mind has not be able to escape some of my thoughts below.  I have been thinking a lot about Mary.  Not that I carried the Messiah, but I understand the emotions of the fear,  the rejection, and shame of having a child as a teenager. I want you to take a journey with me.  Girls, I want us to put ourselves in Mary’s shoes.

 So I will set the stage for a modern Mary staring YOU as Mary!

Ring! Ring! The bell for sixth period Chemistry Class has just rung.   Hi Mr. Smith sorry I am late! I had some last minute cheerleading duties I had to take care of before the big tournament this weekend. No problem! Grab your book; here is the ditto we are working on right now.  

****15 minutes pass*************

THAT feeling comes over you again.  Quickly you rush to the front of the room.

Excuse me Mr. Smith, I know I was late, but do you mind to give me a hall pass I am feeling a little sick to my stomach.  Truthful Sir … I have been feeling kind of under the weather for about two weeks now. I think I might have that stomach virus that has been going around, and if you don’t get me a hall pass I am going to have to use your trash can as a toilet.  

 Just then a voice announces to the class “Well, the way you have been eating lately would make us all think you are eating for two,” Ashley said in her cut you to the core tone.  

 As the tears begin to fill your eyes and your lips begins to trembling from the embarrassment of the teasing comments. Your stomach reminds you that you have one mission to accomplish-- The mad dash for the bathroom.

Hanging your head over the toilet you begin to shake with the reality of everything coming to a head. Finally the feeling passes and you relax into the floor worn out from your body reacting so violently to your lunch you had eaten.  As you set on the floor and wrap your arms around your legs that you pull tight to your chest you.

 You begin to whisper a tearful prayer. Lord, Lord WHY ME? How could this be happening to me? I can’t be pregnant!   What will my family say? Oh the ridicule I will come under.   But the soft sweet voice of the Lord brushes over you as if He is holding you tight in his arms and stroking your hair. Questions race through your mind why me? Shouldn’t a wiser old more experience woman take my place?

 At that moment, with all the unsureness you are facing in life and all the doubt that is trying to overwhelm you. You decided to offer all of yourself and resolve yourself to being the servant of the Lord knowing that God will help you to be strong.  You come to a point that you have never been surer of any decision to keep the baby. You know without a shadow of doubt you will be having a son and His name shall be called JESUS the Prince of Peace.

For nine months you walk a journey of feeling as if there are many moonless lonely nights. You are cold and weary from the way people have treated and looked at you as though you are a dirty dog.  Unable to express that which is weighing on your mind every minute of the day. You search for the inner peace of knowing the babe inside you was hand selected by God the Father and He found favor on you to carry His Son.  Not sure why you found the favor. You are just an average girl with average hard working parents.

While you patiently stare at the ceiling of your room your body is changing second by second minute by minute into a woman and no longer is able to embrace your childhood, frighten by the load you know you will bear. You begin to spend those lonely sleepless nights silently praying. “Father, The world around me is as cold as a stone their harsh words cut like knives.  Please help me walk on this path I must face alone.  Oh, God be with me now and do not let me be put to shame!”

Then that moment comes the most glorious moments of all moments.  When heaven is open up and the Messiah is born! All your fears come to an end and the Peace that passes all understanding comes over you as you hold that babe in your hand gentle rocking the man who was sent to save you and the world from our sins.

While there are only 5 days left until we celebrate the birth of our Savior. I am in awe of how God used the most unlikely person to bring the Savior into this world. I would like to suggest to both you and myself that God is trying to use us all in ways that might cause us to ask the questions of … Why me? Surely you could find someone wiser and more fitting for this role you have asked of me.

 Just maybe If we can get past the hustle and bustle of the purchasing the gifts for our kids we might just have some moments like Mary where we come to the place of saying PLEASE HELP ME walk on this path. Then, maybe this Christmas Season God could birth in each one of us something he has been trying to for a while. Maybe he wants to simply birth confidence in whom we are in Christ, or wants you to lead a small group, or even just setting down as a family and having a devotion at dinner.

 Whatever it is you must know YOU ARE HIGHLY FAVORED, and nothing we face is alone because of the brave actions of one teenage girl saying… Have your way in me Lord!  

So my two cents for the day:

I leave you with this Christmas Challenge Are you willing to say… HAVE YOUR WAY IN ME LORD?

Merry Christmas Girls! I love you y’all!

Tiffany