For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

The Christmas season is one of my two most favorite times of the year.

As Christmas day has passed, I reflect on the thoughts that may have been on Mary’s heart. Her pregnancy at an end, she now finds herself with Joseph in the stable. And it wasn’t the rich and famous that joined them. They didn’t have kings and queens flocking to see the little miracle that now laid before them. It was the animals, the shepherds, and the angels that gathered with them.

Mary knew the significance of her pregnancy, and ultimately the little baby boy that she now got to hold. It was Gabriel who told her months ago, a message from God Himself. She even celebrated the favor of the Lord with a song.

Now as she sits in a stable, looking upon and holding this new life, I’m sure the memories of months before rushed back into her mind. The words of Gabriel proclaiming who this baby boy was, and what He would do! Fulfillment of Isaiah’s Prophecy so many years before, this boy named Jesus.

But this question, captivated in one of my favorite Christmas songs, I think rings true: Did you know? Did Mary fully grasp the significance of what her baby boy would do? The miracles He would perform, the people He would heal. Did she know the discord He would reveal within the religious community? Did she understand that He would fully fulfill the Prophecies of old, by ultimately dying on a cross identified as a criminal?

As she sat there and rested Him into the manger of hay, I can only imagine she reflected on and found peace in those words from Gabriel…

Do not be afraid,Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.

Luke 1:30-33

This Christmas season, as you find yourself surrounded by family and friends, take time to reflect on the real reason for this holiday. It goes beyond presents under a tree in the living room, or big meals with those closest to us. We celebrate today because of grace. Grace God gave in the way of His Son, born of a virgin.

I encourage you this Christmas season to be intentional in finding time to reflect on the gift of Jesus. Don’t let another Christmas come and go, missing the mark on why we celebrate this time of year.