by Rebecca Kocsis

I had a Christmas baby. Mine was a baby girl. Cradling her in my arms as I convalesced after she was born, it was so easy to identify with Mary, the mother of our Lord. The wonder of a new life; the miracle that had taken place; thinking of all that God purposed for this little one’s future. Like Mary, I pondered all of these things in my heart. And I rejoiced in God my Savior for the miracle of His birth. Ever since then, Christmas has been different.

Because our new baby was due just before Christmas, we purposely kept our Christmas plans simple. By virtue of the fact that I was recovering from childbirth, it was necessary that I be still. Hence, I had plenty of time to ponder the miracle of a new baby and the wonder of our Savior’s birth. I did not realize at the time what a gift I was given that Christmas. It was more than a new baby; it was the gift of being able to be still before the Lord at what would normally be a hectic time. 

Many Christmases have come and gone since then, some more hectic than others. Yet, the gift the Lord gave me that Christmas has never gotten old. I will admit that it is easier to be still before Him at Christmas now that my children have grown. The demands on the homeschooling mother are tremendous. Even more so at holidays. You may not think you have time. You may even feel mentally unable to be still before Him. I also know that much of your attention is on making sure your children focus on Jesus’ birth rather than commercial Christmas trappings, so your focus is on them, not Him. And you are weary! Yet being still before Him to ponder the miracle of Christmas—that God became flesh and dwelt among us—is possible.

I am praying for each of you these last few days before Christmas, dear sisters, that you would take time to be still before God and worship Him. That you would ponder the miracle of Emmanuel. I know your identity is bound up in your children right now, so I am praying you would sit at His feet as yourself. Before you are a homeschool mom, remember you are a child of God. 

You may have to slip out of bed early, before the rest of the house awakes. You will have to push all of the lists out of your mind. You may even have to shove a pile of wrapping paper and bows out of the way to make room for yourself on the sofa. Go ahead and turn on the Christmas tree lights or light a candle. Settle your heart before your Father in heaven as a child of God. Like Mary, bask in the miracle of Emmanuel. I promise you, Christmas will be different. 

The Song of Mary

And Mary said:
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy,
As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his seed forever.”

Luke 1:46-56 (NKJV)