It wouldn’t feel like the holidays without a little Christmas travel on the itinerary. It seems like everyone is going to or coming from somewhere. Airports are booked solid. Roadways are jam packed. And everywhere you go there is most likely someone asking the question, “Are we there yet?” They are the four words every parent dreads. They are four words asked most often by children. They are the four words that send shivers down your spine and push your emotions into overdrive—especially when they are asked for the 100th time on a five mile stretch. But in every Christmas season, they are the words that come to mind at some point for all of us.
Are we there yet? It seems like we have been shopping for weeks. Are we there yet? It seems like the Christmas tree is dying. Are we there yet? I’m tired of singing Christmas carols? Are we there yet? Someone get these people out of my house. Are we there yet? I want to open my presents. Are we there yet? I wish I had someone to spend the holidays with. Are we there yet? I’m sick of turkey. Are we there yet? How many times can I hear this same story over and over and over. And so it goes every Christmas season. There comes a point when you just want Christmas to get here so that everything can just get back to normal.
These are also the words that must have been in Mary’s mouth that first Christmas. I know we’ve all been stressed. I know that we could all probably use a little more sleep. But Mary had a challenge that first Christmas that few of us if any have ever known. She made the Christmas journey from Judea to Bethlehem pregnant, without the luxury of a luxury vehicle. The words weary, tired and poor do little justice to describe the pain, agony and discomfort (a term that those who have never been through child birth use to describe child birth at childbirth classes) that must have been present that first Christmas night. Months of embarrassment, harassment, strange looks and hushed words must have taken a toll on Mary as people whispered about her strange pregnancy. An interrupted childhood, a distressed engagement, a shorter than short honeymoon and no doubt a make shift wedding probably were not the kinds of things that she had wished for this Christmas. Yet, this was her lot. And in spite of it all she found joy in Christmas. The one person who had every right to ask the question, “Are we there yet?” took time to find to treasure the moment that changed everything. Think about the way the Bible describes Mary as shepherds came to celebrate the birth of her son.
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19, NIV)
The challenge this late into the Christmas season is not to let the season pass you by. You probably do have too many people in your house. You probably have taken on too much responsibility. Your kids probably aren’t acting the way you want them to. You may even be trying like Mary to make room for some uninvited guests. But don’t let this week pass you by. Find something to treasure. Find something to ponder. We are almost there. Don’t miss the journey in trying so hard just to get to the destination.
Question: What can you treasure this Christmas season? What can you ponder this Christmas? Find some time to quiet and still your heart before God. Let him open your eyes to what you might have missed along the way. Treasure it. Ponder it. And “BRING IT” with you to the Christmas Eve service to celebrate with all the others who are treasuring and pondering this Christmas season.
David Rhodes
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