Mary Remembered – A Christmas Eve Reflection

By Leigh Ann Crainshaw

Sometimes, when I think about that first Christmas night, I begin to imagine what it was like for Mary.

Not in the way we picture it on cards or in nativity sets — but the real, human moment of it all.  The weariness.  The uncertainty.  The awe of holding something holy, and realizing it’s alive in your arms.

This was the night the world changed, a night you’d never forget. Not because of the angels — though their voices filled the heavens — and not because of the star — though it burned brighter than any she’d ever seen.  You remember because you held Him.

I imagine the air was cold that night, the wind carrying the scent of hay and dust.  Mary was so young… so unsure.  And yet, in her arms, peace itself was breathing — the Savior of all — His tiny fingers curled around hers as if to say, “Do not be afraid.”

And she wasn’t, because she felt it – heaven was nearer than it had ever been.  

Years passed.  The child became a teacher, the teacher a sacrifice, and the

sacrifice — salvation.

But that night in Bethlehem, it was just a mother and her son. God’s light entering the world through a mother’s love.

And that light reaches us still.  Through every shadow, every heartache, every quiet moment where faith is all we have.

So tonight, we remember what Mary remembered — that the Light of the World was born into the ordinary, and changed everything it touched.

And it can change us still.  So let it begin again, Lord.  Let Your light be born again — in us, tonight, and always. 

When The Lights Go Out For The Last Time At The Church

II Thessalonians 2:1-3 – Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,2  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

II Timothy 4:1-5 –  I charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Hebrews 10:23-25 – 23  Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;) 24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

I fully believe when we stay out of church when we are perfectly able to come, we are voting to turn the lights out because we do not believe the church is important. It is my opinion that as we get closer to the end times, people will abandon the true NT church for one of convenience and one that will compromise for the sake of popularity, ease, and wealth. One where service is replaced by self-centeredness. One where truth is exchanged for society’s trends.

Ephesians 4:14-16 – That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ: 16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

  • We are commanded to come together. Acts 2:41-47 – Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls. – 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men], as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
  • We are commanded to come together often. Hebrews 10:25 – Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
  • We are commanded to come together to encourage each other. Hebrews 3:12-13 – Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
  • We are commanded to come together to give.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 –  But this [I say], He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully, 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work:

I Corinthians 16:1-2 –  Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first [day] of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as [God] hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

  • We are instructed to come to together to evangelize. – Matthew 28:18-20 – 18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

Signs of Truly Loving Others, part 5

I Corinthians 13:4-7

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things

So far we have examined:

Love is:

  • Long suffering
  • Kind
  • Not envious
  • Not boastful
  • Not proud
  • Does not display improper behavior.
  • It is not self-centered.
  • Does not display fits of anger.
  • Does not think evil of others.
  • Rejoices in what is right.
  • Does not think evil of others.
  • Rejoices in what is right.

Today we will look at:

  • Love is protective.
  • Love is trustworthy.
  • Love is hopeful.
  • Love is patient.

Protective

Romans 15:1-3 – We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2  Let every one of us please [his] neighbour for [his] good to edification.3  For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

Galatians 6:2  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Ephesians 6:10-12 –  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]

People are not your enemy, Satan is.

  • Love helps carry the load.
  • Love pleases others, not self.       
  • Love sacrifices for the benefit of others.

Love is Trustworthy

Ecclesiastics 4:9-10 – Two [are] better than one, because they have a good reward for their labour. 10  For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him [that is] alone when he falleth; for [he hath] not another to help him up.

Hebrews 10:24-25 – And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

  • Love shows up.
  • Love lifts up.
  • Love is consistent.

Hopeful

I Corinthians 13:7  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things

1 Peter 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. (do not put limits on your love)

James 5:16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

1 Thessalonians 5:17  Pray without ceasing. (love never gives up on someone)

1 Corinthians 9:19-20 –  For though I be free from all [men], yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20  And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21  To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22  To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all [men], that I might by all means save some.

  • Love looks at what can be, not always what is.
  • Love never gives up but keeps hoping.
  • Love is limitless and timeless.
  • Love is expecting the best in the end.

Patient

James 1:4  But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

2 Peter 3:11  [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness,

1 Timothy 6:6  But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Timothy 6:11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

True patience is a sign of spiritual maturity; therefore our love show grow stronger and stronger.

Contentment is the ultimate goal.

Patience is our goal as believers.

REMEMBER, GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH THEM YET AND YOU ARE A TOOL HE IS USING TO MOLD THEM.

II Peter 3:11-14 –   [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness, 12  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?13  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.14  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Truly Loving Others

I Corinthians 13:4-7 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things

Long suffering

Colossians 1:11– Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

Colossians 1:11-12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Kind

Ephesians 4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

II Peter 1:5-7 –   And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

Not envious

Galatians 5:19-23 –   Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

James 3:14-16    But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Not boastful

Psalms 10:4-12 –  The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.5  His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. 6  He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.7  His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.8  He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.9  He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.10  He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.11  He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.12   Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.

1 Corinthians 4:18  Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

1 Corinthians 5:2  And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

Philippians 2:1-5 –  If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,2  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.4  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Don’t worry, Jesus is alive and well and He will come again.

John 14:1-6

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4   And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5  Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Acts 1:8-11

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.9  And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.10  And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;11  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

As believers we have this blessed hope and assurance. He ascended back to heaven to make constant intercession for us, and He is getting our place ready for us. He will come and take us. He will meet us and lead us home. We do not need to worry about getting lost on the way because He personally will take us to be with Him for all eternity. What an outstanding promise.

This life will not always be easy

Acts 8:18; 22-23  – For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

    One reason we are looking for His return is to escape this body of sorrow.

    Our bodies have yet to be redeemed (adoption).

    We will be given a brand-new body.

      I Corinthians 15:51-58 – Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

      There will be a reward for remaining faithful in this life.

      II Timothy 4:6-8 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

      • Do not give up, keep fighting.
      • Finish what God has designed for you.
      • A crown awaits your faithful service.’
      • Persecutions come.
      • Sickness comes.
      • Hurts come.
      • Victory has been declared by Jesus Himself for you.

      I Corinthians 15: 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

      Are you ready for His coming?

      Romans 10:13 – For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

      WHAT TO DO?

      1. Must believe you are a sinner.
      2. Must be willing to turn from sin to Jesus.
      3. Must believe He died for your sin.
      4. Must do what God requires:

      Romans 10:9-11 – That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed