Repeat the Sounding Joy

16. Making Memories

It's me again God,

With just days until Christmas, there is much to be done in my home! Over the past couple of days, I have been baking traditional shortbread and Christmas cake to serve to my family on the big day.  As I have been working in the kitchen, making these recipes which are only made at Christmas, memories flood my mind as the delicious aromas fill the house! You have designed the body so incredibly that the sense of smell is intrinsically linked to memory —more so than the other senses. I am so amazed at all the treasured Christmas memories I have been reliving, which go right back to my childhood, as each batch of biscuits bakes in my oven!

I wonder if there were particular aromas associated with the place where Mary gave birth to Jesus? I guess that perhaps the smell of hay may have been one! I can speculate about a lot of things concerning Jesus' birth but I do know for sure that Mary was deeply affected by the birth of her first child and by the fact that they had already received their first visitors.  I don't know for sure but it's possible that the stunned shepherds told the young parents about the angels who had visited them and pointed them to Bethlehem. I imagine this would have reinforced to Mary and Joseph, just how special their new son was!  I am thankful to have these words of Luke's which sum up Mary's reaction:

"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Amidst what must have been a very overwhelming time for Mary, using all her senses, she gathered all the memories of this joyous event —the sights, sounds and smell of the place where Jesus was born, even how delicate his skin felt as she held him for the first time and she 'treasured' it all in her heart, having plenty to think about in the days, weeks and years ahead.

Perhaps these memories allowed Mary to recall Your goodness and remember that her role as mother to Your Son was indeed an incredibly great honour. She had a glimpse of how significant Jesus would be as He grew into a man and I'm sure that as she poured out her love and care over him, she thanked and praised You often, just as the shepherds did:

"The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Lord I glorify You and praise You for sending Your Son to be the Saviour of the world! I'm thankful for the memories You have given me, surrounding the celebration of His birth. I pray that as I continue to prepare for the festivities, I would ponder and treasure all You have done for me.  Most of all, I will remember Your love for me:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
‭‭John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Thank You Father for this most precious memory of all! I am so blessed to be able to look forward to eternity with You!

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.