Mary’s Lent Diary (Day 1)

I’ve not really had much time to keep my diary since Jesus was born. All I seem to do is feed him, change him, bathe him, sleep….and then do it all again!  But that’s ok, I don’t mind – I just love him so much. 

It’s hard to believe that he is three months old already. His 3 month birthday is today! Joseph and I followed the law and took Jesus to Jerusalem, to present him at the temple.  I felt so proud of my boy as Joseph carried him in.  But we’d hardly got to the entrance when an old man came and took Jesus from Joseph!  My instinct was to grab my baby back, but Joseph put his hand on my arm to stop me. ‘Just wait’ he whispered…it’s a good thing that Joseph is more patient than me because the old man, Simeon, only wanted to hold Jesus.  He said Jesus is God’s salvation, and it turns out that God had promised Simeon he would not die until he had seen God’s salvation!

Simeon blessed our little family, which was a really special moment.  He handed Jesus back to Joseph, and took me to one side.  He told me things about Jesus, but I didn’t understand what he meant.  Apparently, Jesus will become the ‘falling and rising of many in Israel, and a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.’  I had to write that word for word as I have no idea what it means.  But that was not all he said to me.  He told me that a ‘sword would pierce my own heart.’  I was not sure what to say.  He wasn’t making sense, and I hope it was because he was old and confused – but deep down, I’m not so sure.  What he said meant something.  But what? Maybe I will find out one day, but right now I don’t want to think about it.  

(Luke 2:22-39)

A Baby’s Foot

Mary has now been Jesus’ Mum for 3 months.  Her life is no longer only about herself, it is about looking after Jesus. 

Right now, that means a routine of feeding, changing, bathing, sleeping, feeding, changing, bathing, sleeping…..

What do you think about routine?  Everyone has a routine, to an extent, some more mundane than others.

Mary could have found her routine mundane….but she was doing it for Jesus. 

He was included in her routine.

What about you? 

How is your life’s routine going?

Maybe you feel stuck in a rut, going round in circles. 

Are you doing it for Jesus?

As you cook the dinner, go to work, pick up the children, etc, do you include Jesus in that routine?

Whatever you do…do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Colossians 3:17

Do it in His name. 

Include Jesus in your routine.

Part of Mary’s routine in having a child, was to take him to the temple, following the law.

And that’s when Simeon finally met Jesus. 

He had been waiting for so long, clinging to God’s promise that he’d see Jesus before he died.

And at last, he did.

Just as God promised he would.

As Simeon holds baby Jesus in his arms, he is holding God’s salvation.

Jesus is God’s salvation.

What are you? 

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

God’s workmanship. Or, as a different translation puts it, God’s masterpiece.

A masterpiece is a special achievement, it’s been made with great skill.

You are God’s special achievement.

He made you with great skill.

If God created you to do good things, what good things were you created to do?

Why not ask Him?

Lord Jesus,

Help me to include You in my life. I sometimes get so caught up in the day-to-day, that I forget to include You.

Amen

Mary’s Memo: Include Jesus