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Merry Christmas!
Tashara Janae
December 25, 2022
Merry Christmas!
The holidays can be merry but this season can also be miserable for some. The frigid weather over the past few days seems to be a bit reflective of the bitterness in the world and even in this season. Most people, including me, have not felt especially "Christmasy" this year. Honestly, I haven't felt the Christmas spirit in a number of years, but this year I'm choosing to do something different.
Today, I choose to be present. Regardless of where I am or who I am around, I will honor time as a gift and cherish these moments. I am grateful that I'm still here. #IChooseMe2023.
Of course, this day is about the birth of Jesus (whether you believe He was born today or not!). I'm just glad He was born, okay?! Today, I am reflecting on the bearer of our Savior. Mary is absolutely the epitome of a Brave Woman! And even if you do not subscribe to the mysteries of Jesus's birth (or death), the power and strength of a woman is still a metaphor to behold.
A woman, who truly had no value in those days, was chosen to bear the Savior of the world. Her husband didn't believe her at first. She felt outcast by her community, her family and her friends. However, she held her head up and believed that a miracle would happen through her. Mary pushed through shame, rejection and an absolutely traumatizing birth experience. I can imagine that she experienced anxiety and bouts of depression during this time. I'm sure she wrestled with her thoughts and her purpose as many of us do. Pregnant and needing community, Mary went to respite at her cousin's home.
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
Once she arrived, John the Baptist greeted her from the womb and Elizabeth had a good ol' shouting, Baptist fit! Mary was in her bag and came with bags! Feeling shame, but also excitement. Feeling afraid, but also hopeful. Feeling blessed, but also betrayed. Mary arrived at Liz's house carrying all of this baggage and a baby. Despite her feelings and her circumstances, she also arrived with the gift of the grace of God that was immediately felt upon her arrival. The most important thing that Mary carried with her was belief.
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!
She knew Who she was carrying even though she didn't know why she was chosen. Her belief brought freedom to those whom she encountered. Today, if you're feeling any type of way, whether you're missing matching pajamas with a significant other, missing being with family due to strife, grieving, financially burdened, struggling with mental health or whatever the case may be, my prayer for you is that you will believe that the Lord will fulfill His promises to you!
May we all channel our inner Mary in this season and the seasons to come. Though emotions flare, plans seemingly fail and life be life-ing, our constant is that His word will never return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11). His promises may not be prevalent to you right now, but the does not mean that they have perished. His promises may feel to be on pause right now, but that does not mean that there isn't progress in the process. His promises will be fulfilled to you, so enjoy the waiting, while you believe, just as Mary, that you're a vessel for miracles.
<3,
TJ