A Mother's Take on Mary and the Shepherds

Bethlehem, Israel

“…This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger…So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger…But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart…” (Lk. 2:12, 15, 19).

As a mom, I think about Mary and Joseph finding themselves in the midst of a Bethlehem stable. Here Mary is at the end of her pregnancy beginning to feel labor pains, but even more than the physical pain, I wonder if her heart was in anguish that somehow she was already failing in her assignment as the one and only mother of God! Surely God was not to be born with the animals! How had they gotten off? It wasn’t supposed to be that way. Of course this would have been a hang-up for them. It was for all of Israel—the idea of a humble King and suffering Servant. The Incarnation is the stumbling block. It was the unforeseen wildcard in the redemptive plan of God.

Shepherds of Bethlehem

 How exuberant Mary and Joseph must have felt when the shepherds found them and related to them that night’s unbelievable happenings! What a weight was lifted off of their shoulders when they heard the angel from heaven’s message that they would find the Baby in a manger! God had actually ordained their circumstances as a sign! They were walking unaware in the sovereign plan of God. 

This picture gives me insight into the kindness of God to speak into the very issue that was weighing heavy on Mary and Joseph’s hearts—and with what style He demonstrated that kindness and insight into their hearts!

 This passage stuck my heart and gave me great comfort one day when I felt like a failure as a parent as I struggled with Cohen. If my assessment were right, then Mary was much more of a failure than I have been! Yet she was not a failure. She was far from it. She was highly favored of the Lord. Oh, to see myself through His eyes! Oh, that my ears would hear His assessment of my life’s circumstances (even if not from an angel)! 

 How many of my life circumstances have I been in when I felt like a failure, when in reality God actually ordained them for me? His strength is truly perfected/made known in my weakness. I do have partnership with the Lord in my life, but how much bigger is the Lord’s sovereignty than what I consider to be weakness, stumbling, and failed circumstances?

How many times in raising Jesus did Mary look back to that night for solace and consolation? The truth of the angels’ chorus of praise rested on those scared parents. The Prince of Peace was with them that night, and even as a little Babe, He imparted peace.


“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Lk. 2:14 tNIV).
“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. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end…” (Is. 9:6, 7). 


 Jesus, take me there to the place where You came forth—where Light shined in the darkness and could not be extinguished. Take me to the place where You first caught air. Paint the picture in Your own words. Fill in the gaps where the storyteller went silent. O Prince of Peace, let me hear the wail of the Word made flesh in the cold night air. For surely even Your wail brought peace to weary souls. Thank You for Your Incarnation—Your willingness to dwell with the lowly.