December 17

As a mom of two energetic boys—ages 7 and 4—I often find myself thinking about Mary at Christmastime. Luke tells us simply, “the time came.” Such gentle words… but any mother knows the depth behind them. The waiting. The wondering. The discomfort. The anticipation feels like it might just stretch on forever.

I remember waiting for my own children to be born. Those days leading up to their arrivals felt so long—filled with excitement, but also impatience and even a little fear of the unknown. I wondered who they would be, how our lives would change, and whether I was ready for the calling of motherhood. And just like that first Christmas, the time finally came—not on my schedule, but on God’s.

Now that my boys are a little older, I see the same powerful mix of longing and impatience in them every December. To them, the countdown to Christmas morning might as well be a countdown to the moon landing. Each day feels like a week. Every wrapped gift under the tree whispers, “Not yet.” Waiting is hard for them—just like it is for all of us.

And maybe that’s why this short verse in Luke speaks so deeply to me. God’s plan unfolds in His time. Not mine. Not my children’s. Not even Mary’s. She traveled, she settled, she waited—and only when the time came did God reveal the next piece of His plan.

Waiting isn’t wasted time. It’s shaping time. It softens us, grows us, and teaches us trust. As adults, we might not be waiting for Christmas morning anymore, but we’re often waiting for clarity… for healing… for direction… for God to show us what’s next. And it can feel like forever.

But Christmas reminds us that God does come through—at the perfect time. Not early, not late, but right when the time comes.

So as you watch little eyes sparkle with anticipation this season, let it remind you of your own hope. Let it guide you back to a God who sees your waiting, honors it, and is working in it—even when you can’t yet see the outcome.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Mary’s quiet example of patience and trust. Teach me to wait with the same faith, believing that Your timing is perfect. Help me show my children what hopeful waiting looks like, especially in this busy Christmas season. Prepare my heart, just as You prepared Mary’s, for the blessing that comes when the time finally arrives. Amen.