The blog below was written in response to this episode of “What’s God Doing”

What are the things that you cherish the most this time of year? What are your favorite Christmas memories?

We all have our own family Christmas traditions. What happens when you move, or a child moves out, or things change? Everything becomes new and strange and good and bad all at the same time. How are you supposed to respond to the roller-coaster of emotions?

I am sure Mary felt the same way.

Mary was chosen by God and without any warning was told by an angel that she was going to have a baby. Her whole world changed in an instant. Her marriage, her future, her family, her reputation flipped. Sure, she would give birth to the king of the world, but did she even fully grasp it all at once?

The Bible does give us a glimpse of how she reacted in some of the harder times:

Luke 2:19 — but Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 2:33 — And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him.

Luke 2:51 — And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

It is probably a good time of year to really reevaluate the things that are important in our life; let’s not take them for granted. Let’s really cherish the life God has given us, not just when things change but all the time. Let’s look for God’s goodness and blessings in everything.

Please comment what your family traditions are and something new that you are seeing this year as a blessing from God.