I originally posted this on my last (very out-of-date) blog, My Life Commentary, on Wednesday, September 26, 2012. It was published about a month and a half before my first child was born.

As I was lying in bed, I realized I’m kind of in my own personal season of advent. I grew up in a church that followed and celebrated seasons, one of them being advent. It’s a period of time where we’re waiting, anticipating the arrival of Christ. 

This morning, I realized how different that advent would have been for Mary than it was for me. Growing up we used the color blue throughout the sanctuary. On Sundays, we would light one of the candles on the wreath and sing a song about hope, love, joy, and peace. 

Those four weeks before Jesus was born were probably a little different for Mary. She may have felt hope, love, joy, and peace–but probably alongside a lot of other emotions, too. I wonder if I’ll be a good mother and teach my daughter what she needs to know; I can’t imagine what it would be like to anticipate raising God’s son.

I also can’t imagine what the journey to Bethlehem was like for Mary and Joseph. It must have been long. I’ve got 7 weeks until my due date, and I’m moving pretty slowly (at least, compared to my normal walking speed). Traveling by car isn’t bad, but sitting on a horse or donkey for long periods of time couldn’t have been comfortable.

Regardless of the fears, my husband and I are very excited to meet our daughter. I’m so glad that, in addition to the support of our family and friends, we have the reassurance that God wouldn’t bless us with her if we couldn’t handle being parents.