A Baby's First

Luke 2:19
 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.


As a young mother, I remember lots of little things about my children.  I remember the first time I held them.  I remember that I never felt alone.  I remember that first time Allie walked or Timm actually told his first joke.  I remember the kindness of family and friends and even the exhaustion I felt.  There are things that I never talk about with anyone.  The things that are private to me.  The little things that I love about my kids, that maybe others would not understand.  How precious those moments are to me!  Mary must of have been the same way.  
Each child comes with his/her own little "firsts".  Those moments that happen for the first time and if you aren't there, you miss them forever.  Most of Jesus' firsts were normal every day things.  His first fist, his first cry, his first smile.  But then the shepherds showed up.  Then the wiseman.  The escape to Egypt. Most of us didn't have those experiences.  Because he was the Messiah, some of his unique firsts are shared with us as examples of how special he is.  Not just as a baby, God's Son, but how it shaped him to become the man he grows into.  


The First Noel
Words:  Traditional English Carol
Lyrics:  W. Sandys' CHRISTMAS CAROLS


The first Noel, the angel did say, 
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.


Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.


They looked up and saw a star 
Shining in the east, beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.


Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.


And by the light of that same star
Three wisemen came from country far;
To seek for a king was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.


Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.


This star drew nigh to the northwest,
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest,
And there it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay.


Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.