Christmas Joy and Waiting: A Christmas Devotional
Christmas Joy and Waiting
Editor’s Note: This is a guest Christmas devotional by Monica Braun (a veteran Diva!). I’m pleased as punch to open the 5th annual Diva Christmas Series with Monica’s post. Since we are expecting a little one in January, I totally cried after reading!
A little background info on our Diva Christmas Series: Every year I’ve been
Without further ado…
Christmas brings so much joy…and waiting.
As children, we wait on Christmas Eve for Santa Claus to bring us gifts which we open on Christmas morning. As adults, we wait for Black Friday to arrive in order to get the best deals for Christmas shopping. We wait for our packages to arrive on our doorstep after we order gifts on Cyber Monday.
Most importantly, Advent is a time of waiting for the most joyous gift of all, the birth of Jesus Christ. Mary and Joseph waited for the child Jesus to be born that beautiful and fateful night. I wonder what Mary was thinking as she waited to give birth to the Son of God. I sometimes contemplate this mystery.
I, too, waited for my first child, Daniel, to be born in December. In fact, I waited my whole life for him. I would often lay in bed and wonder if I was ever going to meet the right man to marry so I could have children. I was aware of this space that was missing from my life. I longed for it with all my heart.
I often wondered what God’s will was for my life. For many years, it was a mystery to me.
And then, one Christmas season, I met my husband. We fell in love in downtown Chicago under the Christmas lights and falling snow. It was picturesque and perfect.
We got married, and then I waited to get pregnant.
And then I waited some more. We waited 9 months for the birth, to be exact.
Every day I waited with anticipation to meet my baby. I prepared by creating a baby registry, celebrating with a baby shower, and decorating the nursery soft hues of yellow and white. And then we waited some more.
And then finally, one frigid and beautiful night in December, he made his debut. My water broke at midnight on my due date and we drove to the hospital through gusts of wind and on icy roads. My excitement grew along with the pains of my contractions. 21 hours later I received the greatest gift I could have ever received.
When the nurse lied him on my chest, I immediately felt a shower of love wash over me. I peered down at his tiny frame as he struggled to open his eyes.
The snow fell outside in the darkness and I bundled him close to me. We kept each other warm. It was love in its purest and most joyous form.
Jesus called Him by name: Isaiah 43:1.
And I knew that I was predestined to be his mama…“You knit me together in my mother’s womb”
Psalm 139:13.
That space that once left me empty had now been filled.
Jesus taught us how to love when he was born to a virgin in a manger to save us from sin. And He continued to teach me how to love with an effervescent, unconditional love when I gave birth to my son and I became a mother for the first time. This love is a great mystery to me. I navigate the lessons of it with the most overwhelming, all-consuming love I have ever felt.
Now, as another Christmas season approaches, I will not be asking for any Christmas gifts because I have my little boy to celebrate with.
This Christmas, he will sit on my lap as we open Christmas gifts under the tree, and my heart will swell with love and gratitude to God, who is love itself.
And then he will help his baby sister open her gifts.
With a little patience and faith, Christmas brings miracles.
And true love.
Monica Braun has a bachelor’s degree in English from Michigan State University and a master’s in education from Aquinas College. She teaches High School English in Racine, Wisconsin, and is an aspiring writer. She has one son and is expecting another! She is a follower of Jesus Christ.
Monica’s blog:https://monicabraunblog.wordpress.com/
Facebook: @embracingjesus
Twitter: @monicambraun
