Emily Newton: What Christmas Means to Me

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger’.” -Luke 2: 10-12

What Christmas Means to Me

The Scripture above sums up what Christmas means to me. Yes, the lights and presents are nice, but the ultimate light and present has already been given to us in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago.

Currently, a popular Christian Christmas song entitled “Mary Did You Know” is the number one song on iTunes. Written by Gospel comedian and singer, Mark Lowry, the song has been recorded by over 400 different artist. That is impressive. It asks if Mary knew all the things her son, Jesus, is going to do. In my opinion, yes, she did know, but it took a lot of faith.

The Wedding

As I reflect on Christmas this year, I thank God for sending Jesus to die for our sins. I am looking a lot at Mary, the virgin mother of Jesus. Just like me, she was planning her wedding to the man she loved.

Sitting back, I imagine Mary and Joseph planning their wedding dinner and preparing for their family to join the celebration, just like me and my fiancé. If she is anything like me, she is nervous and excited. I have a feeling that she was praying, a lot!  

Every woman searches for the perfect dress, food, decorations, music and so on to make their wedding nice. Though, our wedding celebration probably differs some compared to the simple ceremony I believe Mary and Joseph had, the details are still important to any bride.

In the midst of all the wedding excitement, an angel tells Mary that she will become pregnant by the Holy Spirit to deliver a Savior into the world. That only has happened once, and it will stay that way. Now she has a wedding and a baby to plan for. Mary had to be overwhelmed- so I think.

He Has A Plan For You

However, God did not choose just anyone to birth His son, the Savior, into the world. He picked Mary. I imagine all that praying she did, and the nights she stayed up and talked to God- it is in those moments He found favor in her. God knew Mary’s desire was to please Him before she pleased anyone else, even her future husband-to-be.

I can only pray and try to be half the woman Mary was 2,000 years ago. The Bible, and her story, is what I look to for guidance as I try to prepare to be the wife and Christian woman He has wants me to be. Just like God chose Mary for a special task, He chose me for a special task- and He chose you, too.

A Savior Is Born

After an angel confirms the pregnancy to Joseph, he and Mary follow through with their plans to wed. You could say the rest went down in history. Joseph did not lie with Mary until after the Savior was born.

Jesus, the Savior, was born in a manger. His roommates were cows, donkies and sheep. Everyone thought the Savior, the King of Kings, was to be born in a mansion like all other kings. Our King, chose to be born in a barn.

The Life of the Savior

Jesus did not live the “rockstar” life like kings tend to live. He came to take on all of our sins and be the ultimate sacrifice so we would not have to make anymore animal sacrifices. What leader do you think would do that for you today?

Throughout His life, I believe He experienced every emotion, pain and hardship that we face today. When we have a problem and take it to Him, He knows exactly what we are feeling. He suffered, cried, rejoiced, mourned, bled, fasted, prayed, etc. There is nothing too big for Him to handle.

Mary knew her baby was the Messiah and that he was born with a purpose. She kept her task to raise this child in her eye sight at all times. Likewise, we should keep our tasks and purpose in front of us throughout our lives, too.

The Star Light

This year, as I close my laptop and leave Oxford to head for the Delta, I can almost smell my momma’s cooking and see all the Christmas lights and the presents under our Christmas tree. I’ll walk into the house and greet mom, dad, Shelton and our dog, Rebel.

As we talk and laugh, we’ll ponder on the Christmas’ past and all our loved ones we wish were still here. Later, as we gather around the Christmas tree to read about the Savior’s birth, we’ll see all the Hallmark ornaments mom and dad have bought us kids throughout the years.

Every ornament on our tree has a special meaning or memory. One for our first Christmas, angels for our grandmothers that have passed, one Santa Claus taekwondo ornament from when dad made us learn self-defense (I actually grew to like the class), two driver’s license ornaments commending the years me and Shelton became legal road warriors, Ole Miss ornaments and a star light on top to finish it off.

Just like the star light on top of the Christmas tree, Jesus is the star light of the world. This Christmas, read Luke two and make Him the light of your world. Try Him and you will not regret it.

Emily Newton is a staff writer for hottytoddy.com and the editor of Experience Oxford magazine. She is a recent graduate of the University of Mississippi Meek School of Journalism and New Media and the Church of God School of Ministry. Emily can be reached at emily.newton@hottytoddy.com.

Follow HottyToddy.com on Instagram and Twitter @hottytoddynews. Like its Facebook page: If You Love Oxford and Ole Miss…

Emily Newton is a staff writer for hottytoddy.com and the editor of Experience Oxford magazine. She is a recent graduate of the University of Mississippi Meek School of Journalism and New Media and the Church of God School of Ministry. Emily can be reached at emily.newton@hottytoddy.com.

Follow HottyToddy.com on Instagram and Twitter @hottytoddynews. Like its Facebook page: If You Love Oxford and Ole Miss…