By Becky Ahlberg
Monday, December 14
My first child was born on January 6. He wasn”t due until January 20, so I had insisted I could keep my music ministry running through the Christmas season. A full choral program, children”s program, soloist work in a local performance of Bach”s “Magnificat,” a Christmas Eve service, and all the family stuff of Christmas a week later, and well, let”s just say I overdid it a bit.
A daunting 26 hours of labor later, I held my baby boy in my arms and the agony quickly became ecstasy. He was perfect. I just lay there staring at him in my arms. I found myself thinking of Mary. I was 26. She was maybe 16. I understood how I got pregnant . . . did she? I was in a world-class hospital in Los Angeles; she was in a stable. How did she do that? Read Philippians 4:6, 7.
We blithely talk of peace, but Mary, she walked the walk. It helped that an angel told her, “Fear not.” The angel also reminded her, “With God, nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:30, 37, King James Version). Start there as you make your requests known to God today, and may the peace that passes understanding guard your heart.
Love your devotion. It touched my heart.