In the aftermath of Thanksgiving, I wanted to write a blog about gratitude. As I reflect on this year, there is so much I am grateful for. I am thankful for my work; I have a very flexible job that allows me to live the lifestyle I want. God has gifted me with the physical ability to workout and play sports, and I love doing both. I have a great church family here in Australia. I’m married to a selfless, caring man who prioritizes my needs often times above his own. My family is incredibly supportive, and they are my best friends and greatest confidants. And to top it all off, I’m growing a little baby whom I love with all of my heart and I can’t wait to welcome to the world in April.
Thanksgiving has left me with a heart of gratitude, but my thankfulness doesn’t stop there. As we approach Christmas, I continue to find reasons to be grateful. At the top of that list is the gift of Jesus. Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birth…and it’s interesting to think through the reality of it all.
An angel was sent to Mary to tell her that she had been chosen by God to give birth to Jesus. Mary would have likely been in her early teens (roughly around 12 years old), but she accepted the role God had for her with dignity, despite the shame that would have been brought on her for getting pregnant outside of wedlock. Joseph, who was engaged to Mary, decided to leave her quietly so that she wouldn’t endure too much public disgrace, but thankfully, God intervened through a dream and Joseph decided to continue with his marriage to Mary, committing to celibacy until after Jesus was born. Joseph and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem for a census while Mary was heavily pregnant. There was no place for them to stay once arriving, so they were given the option to stay in a stable, where Mary gave birth to Jesus.
A stable…of all places, a dirty, smelly, lowly stable, surrounded by loud and obnoxious animals, with only hay to serve as a cushion from the hard ground. This is how Jesus entered the world. Not in a palace surrounded by gold and jewels, like any other king. And this is why I’m grateful for the story of it all – stemming from difficulty and hardship – leading to the gift of Jesus, who came humbly into the world to serve and not be served. God gave his son to the world ultimately to be a sacrifice for us…to die in our place on the cross.
Tis the season to be grateful! “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). What are you thankful for?!
Tiffany Price 