It’s 6:00 a.m. Christmas morning. It’s quiet and for the first time in over 20 years, I do not have the excitement of children waking me up to open presents Christmas morning.
My children get to spend Christmas with their dad this year. It’s very different, and I’m not used to being alone.
Even growing up, there were always children around. I am the oldest of 11 and my house was always loud and full of people. Last night I was invited to spend Christmas Eve with a family in my neighborhood that also has eleven children. It felt like I was back home. I enjoyed spending Christmas Eve in their home. I was grateful I had a place to go.
Last night we watched a short video about the first Christmas. It struck me that there was no place for Mary and Joseph to go. I can only imagine how Joseph and Mary must have felt as they realized that the Savior of the world was going to be born in a stable.
I wonder if they felt, like I have, that maybe they had done something wrong to be in the situation that they were in. If they only knew the significance of having their child being born in a stable. It makes Jesus relatable to any person in any situation. He descended below all, and I believe it was necessary for him to be born there – but how could Mary and Joseph ever have been able to understand that?
I’m sure to Mary and Joseph it was something they could not understand. Why ever would the king of Kings have to be born in a stable?? But it was for a purpose, a purpose they may not have fully understood at the time.
I don’t understand fully why some of the things that have happened to me have happened. I don’t know of any greater purpose for it, and it’s hard not to feel worried that I’ve done something wrong, or that something’s wrong with me that it happened. Thinking about the Christmas story has helped me to think that maybe there’s something else. Maybe a greater purpose that I just can’t see yet. Hopefully I will be someday be able to understand someday.
I am grateful for the Savior of the world and for His blessing to me that humbles, teaches and inspires me to keep going and to be happy. I’m grateful for his atonement and for His love that makes it possible for me to be able to return to live with Him again.
This Christmas won’t be easy, but it doesn’t have to be a bad Christmas either. It will just be different.
I get to talk to my missionary son today. He’s been serving in the Chili Concepcion mission. I’m so excited to talk to him. He gets back in July of next year. It’s getting closer, and I’m excited to have him home again.
Merry Christas everyone! May your Christmas be Merry and Bright!
~Love, Lindy
Lindy Kerby
Lindy Kerby is an Inspirational Speaker, Singer/Songwriter, and Mentor.
She has written or worked on over 300 songs and has three inspirational music albums. Lindy loves helping others discover the songs of their heart and help them find the hope, courage and confidence to share those songs with others. Lindy is mother to 7 children and has one beautiful grandbaby.