Advent Reflection: 16th December - Laura White

Every day in Advent 2016 we will be sharing short reflections from authors, Christian charities and Eden team members.

Every year, around Christmas time, I am reminded of the strength of faith Mary must have had. She can’t have begun to know exactly what being the mother to the savior of the would come mean, but she must have known it wouldn’t be an easy road. I think her cousin, Elizabeth, recognised this when she said of her:

“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfil his promises to her” (Luke 1:45 NIV).

The Gospels suggest that she took much of her pregnancy in her stride, accepting that she was to become a mother to the Messiah, that the name had already been chosen (well, one less thing to worry about!) and that her betrothed, although initially concerned, now believed too.

She really must have believed, because not long afterwards she found herself, as a young newlywed, heavily pregnant, stranded in an unknown land and presumably at this point, waiting on the Lord to fulfil his promises.

So I wonder if, as she rode on that donkey from inn to inn, if any seed of doubt began to form?

Cut forward a few hours, or perhaps days, and there we find Mary, and if all nativity scenes would have us believe: she sits, swaddled babe in arms, cow gently lowing a lullaby in the corner and not at all fazed by the arrival of shepherds and their flock.

At this point, I am reminded that in that moment her faith gave her peace:

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19 NIV)

While the shepherds spread the Good news far and wide, in joyous amazement, Mary sat and pondered. Amongst the chaos, she found peace.

I pray that in the chaos and celebration of the coming days you too will find time to gather your thoughts, to ponder on everything around you and to find peace through faith.

Laura is originally from sunny Bournemouth, she now lives in Chester with her husband Andy. When she's not sending emails and tweeting for Eden, she is a sometime blogger who enjoys baking and eating out. Laura is never seen without a cup of tea.