Nineteen years ago I was 8 months pregnant at this time of
year with my third child. Uncomfortable and ready to deliver, I was asked to
participate in the sacrament meeting Christmas program. My part was simple. I was to read a portion of the script that
depicted Mary, the earthly mother of the Savior. I accepted this assignment and didn't think
too much about it until a few days before the program when I started reading
through my script to prepare. A new
understanding of this sweet woman swept over me as I read through the
lines. As a very pregnant woman, I tried
to envision myself on a long journey on the back of a donkey. An uncomfortable propsition at best. As a mother who had been through child birth
previously, I was aprehensive and at times fearful of the impending painful
delivery I would soon experience. My
delivery would be in a clean, warm hospital room surrounded with every help I
could possibly need, not in a stable surrounded by live stock and hay and far
away from the people I knew and loved and found comfort in. I felt a great love for Mary as I began to
relate to her experience and desired to find ways to have an attitude in
keeping with hers. She allowed the
quickening of the spirit to begin her on a jouney that had no prior rules or
examples for her to look to. She knew
her child would face a life of hardship and sacrifice that she could not
comfort or take away. She must have been
very close to the spirit, humble of heart and full of a unique love of God to
have been chosen to be the earthly mother of the only Begotten Son of God.
There are so many times since that sacrament meeting Christmas program that I
have been frustrated, scared or sad and have turned to my thoughts of who Mary
really was and the testimony that she had and I have found such comfort from
her life and her experiences. So as we begin this holiday season, it is my hope
that the burdens you find in your way may be lightened by the simple thought of
a young woman, great with child, on a donkey who knew all things were in God's
hands and that even though she didn't know how things were going to turn out or
how on earth she was going to make it through these impossible and undefined
circumstances ahead of her, she went forward and she trusted God. I hope you find yourself at the beginning of
each day with a desire to make a memory.
I love you, your Relief Society presidency loves you and we appreciate all you do because
it is working and helping! We have the greatest Relief Society on the earth and
I am grateful for your contribution to it!
May your December be as awesome as you are!
Bunches of Love
Noelle and the RS presidency.
