It’s been a whirlwind month—the kind where the days seem to blur together and the to-do lists only grow longer. In the midst of the hustle, I decided to set my alarm for 3 a.m. on purpose. Not for an early start on work or errands, but to simply sit in the quiet of my prayer closet. Just me, my three loyal dogs, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and my well-loved stack of devotional books.
This is my favorite time of the day—a sacred pause before the world wakes up. And when I miss it, the days feel just a little off, as though I’ve skipped the anchor that holds everything in place.
This morning, as the silence wrapped around me, my thoughts turned to Christmas—to the reason we celebrate, the reason I am even able to write these words: Jesus. How easy it is to get swept up in the commercialized chaos of the season! The gifts, the parties, the decorations, the endless to-dos. Yet, in the stillness of my prayer closet, I was reminded of the simplicity and wonder of that first Christmas.
As I reflected, two photos came to mind that truly said it all. They quite literally took my breath away. It felt like God was giving me a 
visual reminder of what I had been meditating on—a moment to connect the dots between my Bible study this week and the true meaning of Christmas. The study focused on Mary, and these images couldn’t have been more fitting.
Mary. The depth of her story is staggering. The depth of her faith, even more so. When the angel Gabriel appeared to her, a young girl in an ordinary town, she couldn’t have fully comprehended the weight of saying “yes” to God’s plan. Her “yes” set in motion a journey of profound blessing intertwined with unimaginable pain.
As I looked at those photos, my heart was drawn to Mary’s experience. Holding her newborn son in her arms, she must have marveled at his tiny hands, knowing they were the hands of the Savior. Did she have moments of doubt or fear as she pondered the angel’s words? As Jesus grew, did her mother’s heart swell with pride and yet ache with the knowledge of what was to come?
Mary’s story didn’t end in the glow of the manger. It led her to the foot of the cross, where she stood, unwavering, as her son endured the ultimate sacrifice. The depth of a mother’s love met the divine purpose of God’s plan in that moment. And as her heart shattered, her faith held strong. Even in the face of unspeakable sorrow, she trusted God’s greater purpose.
Her story is a challenge to all of us. How do we respond when life’s deepest sorrows 
and unanswered questions confront us? Mary teaches us that faith isn’t about understanding everything—it’s about trusting the One who does. True faith means holding on to hope, even when our hearts are breaking.
So this Christmas, as we celebrate with family and friends, exchange gifts, and enjoy the festivities, let’s pause to remember Mary’s quiet “yes” and the faith it took to say it. Let’s reflect on the Savior she brought into the world, the reason we have hope, joy, and peace. And let’s take a moment to sit in the stillness, allowing the wonder of Christmas to fill our hearts once again.