away in a manger

this is harper's nativity scene. a nice woman at our church bought it for her. :) it brought me so much joy to set it up as the nativity scene is my very favorite thing to set up at christmastime.

baby jesus always goes in last. i always say a prayer while putting him in, thanking God for giving us his son to die, so that we may live.

i think i have a different perspective this year on the intensity and sacrifice it took to give his son. his only son.

harper is baby jesus at the christmas musical at our church this year. while at rehearsal the other night, everyone, i mean everyone was oohing and ahhing over her. telling me, [while they are supposed to be singing,] how beautiful she is. their faces were bright and people laughed while watching her. i wonder if it's just a tiny taste of how mary felt when the wise men and shepherds came to jesus.

in luke 2:19 it says "mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."

i felt so thankful and full of joy while everyone was admiring harper. in a christmas musical. with a fake mary and joseph. and harper is a girl. let alone a normal human being. not the messiah.

i can't imagine how mary felt.