events happened at one of our Christmas parties? Would I open the door to herders and their livestock or welcome a few foreign dignitaries smelling of incense? What a strange event that would be. I’m pretty sure the first Christmas didn’t go accord- ing to Mary’s plan.
But it did go according to God’s
plan. And Mary had peace amid all the chaos. There it is, echoed in one of my favorite lines in the Christmas story: “Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). In the
middle of the crazi-
ness, she reflected upon the miracle that had occurred with Jesus’ birth. There is a quietness to the story that I love—that I long for, really.
Though elusive, I know what this treasuring and pondering feels like in the midst of chaos and exhaustion— though I had almost forgotten it. It happened to me when we had a baby. That time was a flurry of adjustment and rejoicing and visitors and sleep- less nights and things to do. But there were also those quiet moments when time seemed to stop, and I reflected on the miracle of it all. I, too, trea- sured it and pondered it.
Every parent knows there is no denying the absolute miracle of a baby. I remember hours spent star- ing in wonder at my baby’s fingers and toes. I remember marveling at this amazing little being who came to grace the earth. A miraculous baby. God-made flesh. When she was sleeping on my chest, there was a stillness and peace that I had
never before experienced. And I had the realization that my world had changed forever. In those quiet moments, my sole focus in the world was that precious baby.
I know how I should approach the haste of the Christmas season—with my soul’s focus in the world being that precious baby, Jesus, the abso- lute miracle of God made flesh. Rest- ing in the knowledge that Jesus did change the world forever. Knowing that because of the amazing being who came to grace the earth, there is peace in a way we could never before experience.
As long as I take those moments to reflect on the real mission accom- plished with Jesus’ birth, I think I’ll be able to treasure the chaos of Christmas and have peace in my heart.
wholeness to people and communities!
Our agency began in 1867 as an orphanage on Illinois’ western prairie — a grassroots response to human need by people of faith in the community.
Today, we continue this tradition of caring by partnering with congregations throughout Illinois to help children, adults and families address important needs in their lives.
*Read more about our history and vision at
www.LSSI.org!
1001 E. Touhy Avenue, Suite 50 • Des Plaines, Illinois 60018 •
www.LSSI.org
We’re celebrating 144 years* of bringing healing, justice and
December 2011 29
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