Tomorrow is our anniversary. It was 54 years ago on a cold, snowy evening that we “tied the knot” and began this journey together. So many memories – good, bad, and crazy.

As December 25th fast approaches I am reminded of one very special Christmas memory.  It was 53 years ago. We had just celebrated our first anniversary. On Christmas Eve I sat in the pew with my husband by my side, and in my arms I held our first born son. I listened to the story of Jesus’ birth, but that night my heart marveled over the familiar words. My wonder at Mary’s giving birth in that stable took on a new sense of empathy, of understanding, of awe! I gazed at my own first born and my heart overflowed with love for him. I began to understand just a bit of Mary’s feelings toward that baby in the manger. It was an awe-filled moment.

Yet, at that moment there was so much I did not know about what the years would bring. I couldn’t know the grief of sitting by his hospital bed, the pride of taking him off to kindergarten, the fun of watching his sense of humor blossom, the challenge of his starting college, the joys of a wedding and the arrival of grandchildren. I could never have imagined the gratification of admiring him as an exemplary husband, father and professor.

Mary gazing at her babe in a manger just couldn’t know all that was coming either. She knew her special baby was the Son of God, but what would that mean? She would experience the challenge of bringing up a son. She would know the anguish of losing her 12 year old in Jerusalem. She would feel the hurt when he was persecuted. The unbearable agony of sitting at the foot of his cross is beyond our capacity to imagine.

Mary Lowry and Buddy Greene  expressed these thoughts so beautifully in the Christmas song, “Mary Did You Know?”  Perhaps you enjoy it as much as I do.

God had a plan for us. God had a plan for Mary. His plan is revealed one step at a time, and on each step we take He is there with us with his unconditional love.

Judy