Mommy Mary

Christmas is the time for celebration of Jesus' birth. I am very thankful for the savior. I have been trying to bring the spirit into my home and teach my kids the real meaning of Christmas. I think that as they get older and they truly understand what Christmas is really about that it might be a little easier to bring in that special spirit. Right now with a little 2 year old who gets into everything (no joke!) it is hard to have a calm peaceful feeling in the home but I am trying.

After having kids and having a little baby in the house around Christmas time my thoughts often wander to Jesus' mother, Mary.

My top three favorite Christmas songs all talk about Mary. I think about her being 9 months pregnant and riding on a donkey. I think about her being in labor and in pain and being in a stable where there is no bed, no heat, no help from anyone, no blankets, no doctor. She had nothing. I wonder what was going on in her mind and if she ever doubted what she had been called to do. I think about her holding this little baby. A baby just like mine. A little baby that was crying and wanting to eat and her sitting there rocking him and feeding him and cuddling with him. As she looked down at that little baby face she was looking at the Savior. She was given the ultimate responsibility of being his mother. She was to love him like only a mother could. This child was her son but he was also God's son.

My first favorite song is "Mary, Did You Know?" I love this song and it asks many questions that I often think about them whenever I think about Mary. Did she know that her little boy would heal the deaf and the blind. Did she know that he would be the Savior of the World. Did she know that the child she was kissing was the face of God. Did she know all that was in store for him.

Mary did you know that your baby boy

Will one day walk on water?

Mary did you know that your baby boy

Will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy

Has come to make you new?

This child that you’ve delivered

Will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy

Will give sight to a blind man?

Mary did you know that your baby boy

Will calm a storm with His hand?

Did you know that your baby boy

Has walked where angels trod?

When you kiss your little baby

You’ve kissed the face of God?

Mary did you know?

Mary did you know?

The blind will see

The deaf will hear

And the dead will live again.

The lame will leap

The dumb will speak

The praises of the Lamb.

Mary did you know that your baby boy

Is Lord of all creation?

Mary did you know that your baby boy

Will one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy

Is Heavens perfect Lamb?

This sleeping child you’re holdingIs the Great I AM!

My second favorite song is "Breath of Heaven" sung by Amy Grant. This song talks about Mary's journey. How she wondered if she was good enough to go through this. How she needed Heavenly Father's spirit and direction. It is an awesome song and puts into words what every mother asks herself when they have a child.

I have traveled many moonless nights,

Cold and weary with a babe inside,

And i wonder what i've done.

Holy father you have come,

And chosen me now to carry your son.

I am waiting in a silent prayer.

I am frightened by the load I bear

In a world as cold as stone,

Must i walk this path alone?

Be with me now.

Be with me now.

Breath of heaven,

Hold me together,

Be forever near me,

Breath of heaven.

Breath of heaven,

Lighten my darkness,

Pour over me your holiness,

For you are holy.

Breath of heaven.

Do you wonder as you watch my face,

If a wiser one should have had my place,

But i offer all i am

For the mercy of your plan.

Help me be strong.

Help me be.

Help me.

Breath of heaven,

Hold me together,

Be forever near me,

Breath of heaven.

And finally we have "Mary's Lullaby". This is actually a song that is sung in church and I don't have the words to it. I know that part of the chorus says "for you are a king, but tonight you are mine." I love that phrase. That night of the Saviors birth, he was hers. She held him in a cloth and loved him and comforted him and did everything that a mom does.

So at Christmas time I have a soft spot in my heart for Mary, the mother of Jesus and I can't wait to hear her birth story of her child, Jesus, in her words.