Mary's Dream 

A reflection for the New Year

“Greeting Cards have all been sent…  The Christmas Rush is through…  But I still have one wish to send.  A special one for you “

The Carpenters sang these words a few short years before Karen’s death.  That tragedy ended what I thought would be a lifetime of beautiful music.  Her voice was one of my favorites and this particular song echoed, for me that final, heartfelt wish of a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

I came across the words for a piece of Christmas sentiment that struck me a bit differently but just as deeply.  I’d like to share it with you.  I don’t know who wrote it and truthfully, I didn’t search very hard but I hope the author doesn’t mind me sharing it here.

It’s called “Mary’s Dream”

Here it is and I’ll be back in a moment:

 I had a dream, Joseph, I don’t understand it, not really, but I think it was about a birthday celebration for our Son. I think that was what it was all about. The people had been preparing for it for about six weeks. They had decorated the house and bought new clothes. They’d gone shopping many times and bought elaborate gifts. It was peculiar, though, because the presents weren’t for our Son.

They wrapped them in beautiful paper and tied them with lovely bows and stacked them under a tree. Yes, a tree, Joseph, right in their house. They’d decorated the tree also. The branches were full of glowing balls and sparkling ornaments. There was a figure on the top of the tree. It looked like an angel might look. Oh, it was beautiful.

Everyone was laughing and happy. They were all excited about the gifts. They gave the gifts to each other, Joseph, not to our Son. I don’t think they even knew Him. They never mentioned His name. Doesn’t it seem odd for people to go to all that trouble to celebrate someone’s birthday if they don’t know Him?

I had the strangest feeling that if our Son had gone to this celebration He would have been intruding. Everything was so beautiful, Joseph, and everyone so full of cheer, but it made me want to cry. How sad for Jesus not to be wanted at His own birthday celebration.

I’m glad it was only a dream. How terrible, Joseph, if it had been real.

I’m glad it was only a dream too.  I’m glad the people at Emmanuel KNOW who Jesus is and I’m glad we now what Christmas is REALLY all about and what it’s NOT all about.  After all, to not know Him is the saddest thing I can imagine.

As Christmas winds down and New Years winds down.  Let’s make a resolution for the New Year to really know Jesus.  Let’s get into a Bible Study.  Let’s go to a Sunday School class.  Let’s Pray more and worry less.  Let’s care for others more and ourselves less.  Let’s be a bright shining witness to Jesus Christ

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Frank