I think I was nine when I was chosen to play the lead role in the Christmas play at church.
For years I had dreamed of being Mary. And it finally happened. One amazing Christmas I got to play the role of the mother of Jesus. I even got to hold a real baby who cried the whole time.
What were they thinking?
I don’t think they ever used a real live baby again. All other Marys would hold baby dolls in their young arms.
Honestly, I don’t really remember any other Christmas play except that one. I’m not sure if it was the honored role or the trauma of holding a baby who did not want me to hold him. I remember my face turning red.
I vaguely remember the baby’s mother (real mother) scooping him up out of my arms.
Though it was a little embarrassing, I was relieved. My nine year old self had no idea what she was doing.
Some theologians believe that Mary of Nazareth could’ve been as young as 13.
It’s hard to imagine, isn’t it? But life was very different back then–though there had to have been many times when the young Mary didn’t know what she was doing either. All of us have those “I don’t know what to do!” moments with our first children. But Jesus was no ordinary child, as we know, and His life would be like no other too.
I honestly don’t believe Mary could comprehend all that He would be and do even with all of the prophecies spoken hundreds of years before His life. Sometimes when we are the closest to people-especially the ones we love, it is hard to step back and see who they really are.
As we begin to prepare our hearts for Christmas, I thought it would be good to read some of the prophecies of Jesus to remind us of who He is. We’ll read prophecies of His birth, His power, His purpose, and His Kingdom. Though I’ve listed only the Old Testament verses on the Bite of Bread reading plan, we will also discuss the corresponding New Testament verses for those prophecies on my Daily Broadcast.
Jot these verses down or take a screen shot. Spend some time journaling what each verse promises about the coming Messiah. Light a candle, pour your coffee, and spend time with the One who came for you, and me, and all of us.
Jesus loves you.
Digging Deep,
andy
