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I should have said, "No!", which was my first inclination. But, I was somewhat coerced and conceded. No worries. Next time it will be a resounding, "Absolutely not!".
I recently returned from a trip to DIsney where I connected with a dear college friend from ages past and together we enjoyed the music and story of Christmas at the Candlelight Processional in which our daughter Makenzie's voice was raised in praise with almost one hundred others. I am not giving an, "Absolutely not!" to the excitement and joy of Disney at Christmas. It is a resounding, "No!" to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom.
My first mistake was not giving any thought to the four words in the ride's name: "BIG--THUNDER--MOUNTAIN-- RAILROAD." There is not even a hint in any of those words that this might possibly be a tame ride or for the faint of heart. My second mistake was neglecting to read the "invite": "Race...aboard a speeding train on this thrilling (chilling, gut-spilling-my words) coaster-style ride." I should not have paid any attention to Makenzie's encouraging words, "The thunder is just the noise, and I will tell you when to plug your ears." The sad reality is is that I caved. Makenzie was true to her word and I plugged my ears. I was true to my aversion for coasters and I shut my eyes.
I am sure when Mary, the mother of Jesus, embarked on her roller coaster ride, she did not close her eyes (except in prayer or praise), but stepped aboard with her eyes wide open and her heart expectant as she clung tightly to her God. The more I read the Christmas story, the more I become a Mary-wannabe. There are three things about her that I long to have more of in my life. I think her ride began when Gabriel arrived on the scene saying, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." The angel then unveils the plan that is about to unfold. She, a virgin, will become pregnant. Luke 1:35 describes the conception, " The Holy Spirit will come upon, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you." That foretelling, at the least, would be a little unnerving. As a virgin being with child, she faced possible disappointment, divorce, disgrace, and even death. BUT, Mary's response to all of that is a response that I want to be able to echo. "I am the Lord's servant...May it be to me as you have said (or planned)." Like Mary, I want to keep my eyes open and fully surrender myself and my roller coaster ride to the plans of my faithful Father.
The next scene with Mary is when she is with child, visiting at the home of her cousin Elizabeth, also with child. So much of their experiences were different, yet both came about because of the same God. Their time together was rich with worship. In my Bible, Mary's words are entitled, "Mary's Song", and, in my mind, I can almost hear her singing from her heart as she roller coasts in her condition into the unknown, trusting the God she knows. "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior...the Mighty One has done great things for me - holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds...lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry...He has helped his servant..." If God had done all of that and so much more for Mary, then surely, He will continue to do all that He began to do in my life and so much more. Like Mary, I want my life and my very breath to be overflowing with praise and adoration for my God who has been so good every step of my journey and every curve in the tracks and is worthy of my trust, no matter what tomorrow may bring.
In a later part of the birth narrative, after Jesus has been born, the shepherds come to see this baby that they heard about from the angels. After seeing the child for themselves, they left as missionaries telling everyone all that they had heard and seen. "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." I do not believe that " All these things" that Mary placed great value on were limited to just the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. Part of that "all" would have included all that she had been taught and all that she knew about the God of the Old Testament: his miracles on behalf of his people, his promises, his promise to send the Messiah, and his promises to her that the Lord was with her and that, "Nothing is impossible with God." Like Mary, I want to treasure in my heart and in my mind all of those things I know and continue to learn about my God that make him so great, and the promise that He is with me and that, even when my journey is uncertain, there is nothing impossible for him.
I want share with you a funny experience I had today that reminded me of a profound Christmas truth. I received an email this morning before work about a recent purchase that was to be delivered to my home later in the day. I had not placed the order and needed to get in touch with Amazon to inform them of the mistake they made. The cost of the item was over $200. The item has never been on my "Christmas Wish List" and I aged-out of the need for one several decades ago. The item was a breast pump. I have to say that it provided a good laugh. At Christmas we sometimes receive gifts that we do not need or have outgrown needing. But God knew exactly what we needed and that is why He gave us Jesus; a gift for each one of us for all time. I am so grateful He saw my need and gave me the greatest gift ever. My prayer is that each of you has received God's gift of Jesus, the Savior of the world. "God loved the world so much that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish, but will have eternal life."
Merry Christmas! God bless you all.
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