Mary's Perspective
No one ever talks about the physical feelings that Mary must have been feeling today. Could you imagine riding on a donkey or a camel at nine months - or 36 weeks or 38 weeks - pregnant? I am sure that she was having beginning stages of contractions, low back pain, and without a bra (they weren't around back then); her breasts were probably engorged with no support.
Swollen ankles. Discomfort. Not body pillow to help get comfortable. No pain medication. No heart rate monitor. No testing during her pregnancy. Just the Almighty God watching over and protecting her the entire time.
She had to persevere through the unknown, trust God in the uncertainty, power through fears, and develop a love for the life growing inside of her - feeling the kicks and movement, with no reference as to what labor and delivery would look like, or what to do as a first-time mom. Can we also reiterate the fact that she was only 14?!
Then, arriving in Bethlehem, she didn't have a hospital with a doctor waiting for her. No labor and delivery room. She wasn't even indoors. Imagine the cold of winter, laying on the floor of a barn in a stable with the stench of animals all around you. Having to concentrate on knowing when to push and remembering to breathe as she pushed out a whole human - who was also the Son of God!
Instinctively wrapping Him to keep Him warm and nursing Him at her breasts, while still profusely bleeding out in pain, and uncomfortable, without another soul in sight to help. Imagine Joseph and the incredible trust he had to have and faith in God to be by Mary's side through it all, and to put his pride aside while she birthed a child that was not biologically his. Yet, still loved, and taught, and raised Him as his own.
We get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of this season, but do we ever take the time to stop and really think about what was happening during the first Christmas? It had nothing to do with buying presents, increasing debt just to buy them, stressing over paying bills vs. gifts for Christmas, trying to impress or appease or out do. Nothing like that even existed. It was pure. It was lonely. It was just them and God, and the birth of a sweet baby boy.
The angels rejoiced and worshipped. The focus was on Jesus. Yes, later the wise men brought gifts, and that is sadly the main focus for everyone now. Yes, everyone is nicer and a little friendlier at this time of the year, but everyone capitalizes on the gift giving part. Jesus is the reason for this (and every) season. This is His birthday celebration. Remember that and always keep Christ in your Christmas, for there is no Christmas without Him.