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The Son 

It's late, I'm lying in bed, I'm tired and my body aches.  I know I need to go to sleep; there is so much to be done tomorrow.  I try, but my mind implores me to reach back across the centuries where the customs of the time as well as the landscape is foreign to me.  I look into the face of a lovely young girl and I see the very essence of purity.  No malice or anger, no bitterness or envy; only humbleness, reverence, and love.  Her name is Mary, and until now, with the exception of her upright heart; has lived a normal life.  Though she is quite young, she is engaged; that's traditional in this ancient period of history.  Well thought of by her peers, she is greatly loved and honored by her espoused. 

There is something very special about Mary.  Did her mother know it?  I think so.  God surely knew it!  He looked into the integrity of her heart and considered her so special as to choose her to mother and cherish His only begotten Son. 

I can see her as she receives the message from the angel; "Hail, thou that art highly favored...” I can feel her fear; witness her trembling lips as she unconditionally gives herself to the perfect will of God.  She knows in her heart she must endure gossip and rejection, and the latter perhaps by the man she loves ~ yet, there is no hesitation, this is God's purpose for her life. 

I watch her, as she too, lies in bed, and for the first time feels a flutter of movement in her abdomen.  Her heart races and tears come to her eyes with the realization that the Giver of Life has her life's blood rushing through His tiny earthly temple.  She considers and with great humbleness of heart utters profoundly; "Who am I to be so blessed?" 

Like watching a movie, I visualize her long journey to the birthplace of our Lord. Heavy with child, exhausted from the 90 mile trip, I see the concern at not finding a room to stay in, only a stable with a makeshift bed of hay.  Then the contractions start and a blessed peace spreads over the countenance of the young bride.  Once again, she submits to the will of the Almighty, and soon beholds the face of the Savior of mankind. 

Years pass and Mary secretly ponders the miracle of the conception and birth; and yes, the very spirit of the child.  In her heart, she knows what lies ahead and savors every moment with this son, for now, indeed, he is her son.  She teaches, guides, trains his every thought toward God.  She recognizes his Deity, and one day as she looks at him, understands that he senses it also. 

Time marches steadfastly on and the boy grows up.  Miracles happen by the spoken word of her son, and Mary stands in awe and increased trepidation with the reality that soon she must give him up. 

Then one day it happens; the thing that Mary has dreaded for so long.  The boy she loves so fervently, falsely accused, savagely beaten and ridiculed, hangs on a cross in despair.  She clings to the tree, weeping and blood splattered, as the humanness pours out of the body of Jesus. 

Hours pass and finally the torture is over.  He is lying on the ground as she cradles him in her arms.  I feel the intense struggle of emotions in her breast.  The desperate, heart wrenching loss of her son warring with the overwhelming joy in knowing the victory his death has wrought for all creation.  She knows without a doubt now, that he is no longer her son.  That relationship was vanquished with the expulsion of the blood; but now He is So Much More!!  Now He has become her Lord and Savior!  And once again, through the tears, she hears the angels proclaim; "Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." 

Three days pass and this man/God rises out of the tomb with triumph, clutching in His hands the keys to death, hell, and the grave!  And because He became the sacrificial Lamb for humanity, we have the opportunity to choose a life that will span all eternity in the Presence of Almighty God!  Praise His Name Forever!!