What Child is This?

"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour."         ~Luke 1:46-47

I have often sat and pondered what it must have been like to be Mary.  She was given the most awesome role that any woman could have ever had!  Yet at the same time, what was it really like, to have a perfect child, THE Son of God?  She goes on to say in verse 48 that "...all generations shall call me blessed."  She was blessed indeed!  As a mother, to have all the emotions and affections coursing through you that you have for your baby, yet at the same time be in awe that He is the King of kings and Lord of lords!  She was chosen by God to be the mother of our Saviour!  No other woman will ever be chosen for that role again.  It was for Mary and Mary alone.  But each of us mothers are given a special calling as well, and no, our children don't even get the title of "angels"...some may even be little devils!!  But we are called none the less, to bring our children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord...the King of kings and Lord of lords!  We aren't to sit on the sidelines and watch everyone and their neighbor bring up our children according to their agenda...it is our (mothers and fathers) responsibility.  How come everyone wants the responsibility to bring up the children, EXCEPT the ones that God intended to do it in the first place?  The world is indoctrinating our children with it's philosophies and religion, yet God's people still make excuses!  Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever....is that what we are seeing in our day?  Absolutely Not!  As it was in the days of Noah, and since the beginning of time, every one is doing that which is right in his own eyes, not taking heed what shall be reaped!  God's Word should be so ingrained into our children that it is what fills their thoughts when they are tempted to do wrong, it is what gives them comfort in time of sorrow, it gives them joy in the morning!  Instead of His Word being our very last resort, when all else fails, it should be our guide, our road map, our instruction manual.  Yes we have a great responsibility and we may look at Mary and think, "Wow!  To have had a perfect child, wouldn't that be grand?"  But God has given us this great responsibility and He has chosen us to bring these "depraved little devils" up for His honor and His glory!  It is ALL about Him and Him alone!  HE is the reason we exist, He has called us for such a time as this to bring Him glory!  So, this Christmas, while we sing "What Child is This", let us ask ourselves what children are these that He has given to us, are we raising them to bring HIM glory, or are we living for the moment, not caring what becomes of our children?  Do you like being embarrassed when someone asks, "Whose child is this"?  Then purpose today to bring your children up for the glory of God!