12/07/2025
I have often heard that the three year mark of a marriage is when the honeymoon officially ends. Our family recently celebrated a much-anticipated wedding full of all the joy it should be. But what generally comes next? The mundane of real life which often is work-dinner-sleep-repeat for months or years. It can be a comfortable place, but it also brings longing for date nights, special getaways, or a new baby. These special events often serve to remind us of the hope and joy we felt on that wedding day.
I was reflecting this morning on how incredible it must have been for the shepherds to see the concert of angels announcing the birth of the long awaited Messiah. What an amazing experience to have the glory of the Lord shine all around you in the midst of the angelic host! They rushed to Mary and Joseph, finding the newborn baby Jesus just as the angels had said. What a night for Joseph and Mary- not only had the promises of their own angelic visits been fulfilled in this night (Matt 1:20; Luke 1:30), but shepherds showed up to worship and celebrate with them. Luke 2:19 says Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. I can hardly fathom the joy they felt. Soon after Simeon and Anna recognize this tiny baby as the long awaited Messiah, and Joseph and Mary marveled.
But what happened after? I can't help but wonder if there was a period of the mundane. Joseph working as a carpenter. Mary changing diapers. I should be clear that I have no idea what life actually looked like in those first two years- but my imagination wonders if while their memories certainly held joyful memories of the birth and all it's miraculous details - maybe they longed to see a bit of that special time again.
And bam. Wise men show up having traveled quite a distance bearing gifts of gold, frankincense at myrrh. The wise men were not present on the night of Jesus' birth- they came much later, we speculate their visit to be when Jesus was about 2 years old. Isn't God's timing good? If I were Mary, right around year two I could use encouragement from above that this baby was everything the angels had said. A Messiah King- which is what the wise men came to see.
Maybe you've been feeling locked in the mundane. I hope you'll take the time to pause during this Christmas season to revisit the greatest gift: Jesus also called Emmanual which means "God with us."
Merry Christmas to you all from the Schick family! I have officially retired from teaching yoga, kickboxing, fitness classes and personal training sessions. Thank you for fifteen wonderful years. Blessings, Kathy
