Christmas Cards and Mary Musings

This is one of the Christmas cards we are sending out this year. Of course time is running out but I wouldn't give up a single thing we're doing. I hope you're enjoying what you have chosen to take on during the season.

 The card is made with a Tattered Angels background on Staples brand matte "Photo Supreme" paper. I sprayed the three colors: Sunflower, Candy Apple and Meadow onto the photo paper and heat dried it. Then I stamped the image which is from Hero Arts and reminds me so much of our view from the kitchen sink (aww, such a blessing). I embossed the image with Detail White embossing powder by Stampendous, stamped my sentiment from Papertrey Ink and wah la. This card is heavily inspired by Angela at Penny Black stamps. The original, along with several more beautiful samples, can be seen at scrapbook stores that carry Penny Black stamps.

The card above is made with a Stampendous stamp which is stamped in Versafine Onyx Black onto white cardstock. I then used Wild Honey, Black Soot, Stormy Sky and Chipped Sapphire Distress Inks and applied them with an applicator. The Wild Honey was applied with a sponge using a mask over the black. The sentiment is Papertrey Ink and to finish it off, I sprayed over the oval with Gold Tattered Angels.

Finally I want to share the manger scene at our house. It is nothing special, something I picked up at Costco years ago. But every year I put it out and of course I hope it reminds me and my family of the first Christmas when Christ was born.  This year I've been thinking about Mary. For a moment just put yourself there at the first Christmas.

I'm sure Joseph was in a near panic when he couldn't find a place for his wife to lay down and give birth to their baby. Not just any baby, but the one they knew to be the Savior of the world. The one to save His people from their sins.  What would that even mean to Mary?  How would this child, kicking in her womb, possibly accomplish what people had been waiting for all these years? What faith she must have had.

Mary was put into hiding during her pregnancy so as not to bring shame to her and Joseph and the union so blessed by God.  But did people in their lives wonder that she was pregnant and so soon after marriage. How hurtful to have others whispering behind her back. Who was the Father? Is it Joseph? I thought Mary was such a nice girl. Mary was a humble woman.

Mary must have been in tremendous discomfort on that donkey. Was she experiencing the normal pains of being ready to deliver? What a strong woman Mary was!

How could she even grasp the length and breadth of what God was calling her to do?  Imagine the questions we would have bombarded the angel with if we were given the same news! What a willing woman Mary was. Willing to do all that God asked of her. No complaints, no down grading her abilities, no suggesting someone else could do the job better. Mary was capable and willing to do this most important job.

Surely Mary would have the same wonders most pregnant mothers have; What will the baby look like? Will he have curly hair, blue eyes, the questions must have been many? What will my life be like being the mother of the Savior, Jesus? Where will this small baby take me and my husband in order to fulfill the prophecy? What joy she experienced when at last, according to the scripture, she gave birth to Jesus in an animal shelter, wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in the manger. Mary was a peaceful, joyful, fulfilled woman. And then the rest of her life began.

God sure picked a good mother for the Savior of the world! Humble, faithful, strong, peaceful, joyful, willing and capable.  Glory to God in the highest.

Blessings,
Lorelei
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