Have you ever thought much about the fact that the God of the universe chose to humble Himself by taking on human flesh so He could relate to each one of us? There are few things that are more helpless than a human baby and yet He stepped down from glory, at a time in history when there were few luxuries and conveniences, to be born into a very poor family. What must Mary have felt as she held her new born baby whom she knew to be the Son of God? What weight of responsibility did she and Joseph feel? God the Father chose these two young people to care for His Son. Several times in scripture we read that the Lord spoke to Joseph about what he needed to do to keep little Joshua (the Hebrew name for Jesus) safe. Sometimes I wonder how many times the Lord speaks to my heart and I don’t hear Him. I also wonder what kinds of things Mary thought as she watched her Son grow. The towns in Israel were very small when Jesus was born. Your neighbors were close for many reasons and Mary no doubt had seen many children running around for her entire life. What differences did she see in Jesus? What were their conversations like as He grew up. The first recorded miracle of Jesus was Him turning water into wine at a wedding feast in Galilee. They had run out of wine and somehow Mary knew her Son could do something about it. How did she know? Simply because she knew He was God’s Son? Had He performed similar miracles at home with His mother? She approached Him with the problem and He seems to put her off a little “woman, what have I to do with this?”. It makes me laugh that Mary ignores her Son and turns to the servants and tells them to do whatever He says. That sounds like in exchange that would happen between me and one of my boys. “Don’t mind him, He’s a little cranky today, but He will help you!” And He did. He turned the water to wine.
God come in the flesh. Sometimes I get so comfortable in my walk with the Lord that I skim over His word instead of slowing down and pondering it. It’s so important t let His word sink into our hearts to transform us into His image.
I know this is the classic Christmas verse but it is also so much more. God taking on human flesh, choosing to walk this earth for 33 years, then allowing sinful man to put Him on a cross. He fulfilled scripture that said there had to be a sacrifice for sin. He took the sin of all mankind upon Himself paying the price for our sins. But the glorious thing, the reality that gives us, as believers, Hope, is His resurrection. He didn’t stay in the grave. He rose again three days later conquering sin and death. His resurrection proved His power and His diety. He wasn’t just a good man who died. He was The Son of God who gives Hope to all who choose to believe on Him as their Lord and Savior.
This set of blocks brings us almost to the end of our SAL. Next week I will share one last block along with the layout for the quilt and the cutting instructions. Hop over to my shop to pick up these blocks so you can Stitch-a-Long with me!
Blessings,
Michelle
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