Christmas in The Village

I am trying to figure out how to put videos on my blog...
New territory for me- bear with the glitches!

Did You Know?

One of my all time favorite people in the Christmas story is Mary (yes, I do love the main character as well...). I can often think back to times when I heard the nativity story as a young girl and often it was presented in such a way for the listener to place themselves in Mary's shoes. So, I did and have continued to do just that throughout the years. It has often spurred thoughts of: Why Mary? What did she have that so-and-so (or at times, myself) doesn't have? Why that time period- why not now? And lists of other questions that I simply can't answer. Consequently, one of my favorite Christmas songs is the song written by Mark Lowry: Mary, Did You Know? It captures a beautiful picture of what might have been going through Mary's heart and mind during that wonderful time. (Another good "considering" song is: It Wasn't His Child, from Joseph's perspective).

Mary was crafted, formed, and designed by her Creator for a special purpose and plan- that of mothering the Messiah, the Savior, the Rescuer, The One! But what made her "more special" than any other woman to ever live? Interesting thing to ponder. Who knows- maybe we will never know. But if you would, take a minute and speculate with me...

Mary's beautiful heart is revealed just a handful of times in the Gospels. (How interesting that so many people worship her when so little is known about her!) But what we find there is something to be paid attention to. I could analyze all the passages, but I want to simply focus on one of them: her song. When I was younger, I read the beginning of Luke numerous times, especially in December. However, often I would skip over the songs of Mary and Zechariah. They were not the "meat" of the passage, according to my thinking back then. However, I have come to love them and think upon them a lot as of late.

Zechariah's song is beautiful- he truly praises and worships His God, and spends a great deal of time remembering His faithfulness in the past to Israel. But as you read through it, you realize that he still "just doesn't get it" in a small way. His hope was still in that God would deliver His people from their enemies. Which is a good and right thing to hope for- not a thing wrong with that! But truly Jesus' birth was so much more than just a physical salvation from enemies (praise God it was!). And Mary understood this!

Here are a few excerpts from her song: "Holy is His name," "He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts," "He has exalted those of humble estate," "He has filled the hungry with good things and the rich He has sent away empty..." He didn't merely come to deliver His people from the tyrannizing powers over them. That would have been too temporary. No, He came to do something a lot bigger, a lot grander, a lot more "outside the human box" thinking! And Mary got that. She knew it before He was even born. And Mary was chosen maybe in part because she "got it," and maybe even more because she was probably just one of those people she described- the poor, humble servant. God used her to show that He could use anyone!

This year I've thought on Mary a lot, partly because I've watched The Nativity Story multiple times (not 100% accurate, but very thought-provoking), and partly because I am living and working amongst the poor, needy, and those desperately grasping for some sort of salvation. Somehow being in this environment stirs my heart to cry out Mary's song over and over again from the depths of my being. But even more so, I've begun to feel broken, humbled, and ready to serve Him...

Sometimes I still do wonder what it would have been like to be Mary. To be the mother of our Lord. What would she have seen? What piece of the story would we gotten a taste of that we have no idea about today? Would we truly appreciated the Gift we'd been given? Yes, I do have "Mary-envy" often! And also wonder what I need to change in my own heart to be more like Mary. What was it about her that made her perfect for that task? And so the questions roll through my head. But just the other day I stopped and realized something... I don't need to be like Mary! She was a great woman. She did amazing things. She was handpicked by God to be His Son's mother. What a privilege! What an opportunity! What favor was that that rested upon her...

BUT none less than He's placed upon me... and you! God is all about His glory. Search through the Scriptures and you will find the entire Thing is simply revealing Him, His renown, and His glory to this world that desperately needs an outpouring of just that. Mary was a pawn, an instrument in His amazing Story! She played her part. She was gifted and crafted for her role... just as you and I are. Mary might be in the limelight a bit more, but we are no less treasured and purposeful in His hands! He designed and gifted you, just as He did her. He placed you in the exact time period and place with a reason and a plan. Maybe you feel "Mary-envy" or even someone else envy. But I want challenge you to stop and examine your heart and life. He's gifted you no less than any other person for the design He's placed upon your life. Maybe you don't need to be God's mother, a perfect evangelist, a better organizer, singer, preacher, or whatever your heart is discontent and envious over. He's given you exactly what you need for the job He's placed before you. Maybe if you are discontent with that it is because you aren't truly seeking His heart.

Maybe today it is time to do a life inventory and examine your giftings and blessings. I hope that it leads to how Mary responded:

"But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart."
Luke 2:19

(these pictures were taken last week here in Kosovo)

I'm Back...

Well, I finally made it to Kosovo!
It is so good to be back home!!
It was so hard to say goodbye's though...

I had a good time in Paris with my friends Wayne, Hilary, and Addie. Apart from the jet lag, it was such a refreshing and encouraging trip.

You can check out their blog here:

http://dennysinafrica.blogspot.com/

Thanks guys for showing me all these sights!

Addie and I doing stickers (thanks Jennifer!)

The Effiel Tower at night.

Here's Paris at Christmas time
(this is the road that the Tour de France finishes on)

Park de Seoux
(One of Addie's favorite places)

Notre Dame

We took a boat ride to see the sights.
Here's my attempt at being creative...

It has been a funny joke that it snowed first in Texas right before I left, then it snowed first in Paris while I was there, and began to snow right before I arrive in Kosovo and hasn’t really stopped since…Guess it is going the winter of snow for me. Here a few shots of snow here- besides the cold, which is also breathtaking, it is breathtakingly beautiful!

I have had a hard time re-adjusting, but mostly that is just due to this insane jet lag which isn’t allowing me much sleep right now. I hope to get back onto schedule soon, and avoid all the cold bugs being passed around.

I don't have very much internet access right now, so these post will be few and far between. Pray for me to find my house to buy quick! Thanks everyone- missing you already!!!