Sandra Heska King

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Flattened for a Mary Christmas

December 21, 2010 By Sandra Heska King

I wish you a Mary Christmas.

Stunned by His reflection.

Flattened at His feet.

As you wait.

And worship

Heady with His fragrance.

“Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” John 12:3 (NIV)

I pray that you would cradle Him in your Heart as He cradles you in His.

Not just in this season.

But in every season of each day.

Because He was born to die.

So we could live.

Forever.

May your heart burst to spill His light and ooze His aroma.

Mary Christmas!

NOTE: This little bird crashed into our window and splatted into a snow angel. Three of us pressed our noses to the glass for several minutes–willing it to blink, to breathe, to move. Not until my husband and Gracee ran outside to its rescue, expecting to scoop it up to bury it, did it shake itself and fly off.

Perhaps a dim reflection through darkened glass may hold some protection. And just the knowledge of a hand stretched out to lift us up is enough to raise us up.

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Comments

  1. jasonS says

    December 21, 2010 at 2:12 pm

    Yeah, I like that a lot. When we come to our end, it’s the beginning of our worship. Thanks Sandra.

    • Sandra says

      December 21, 2010 at 4:19 pm

      The end is the beginning. That’s powerful.

  2. deidra says

    December 21, 2010 at 4:14 pm

    I came here after reading @duane_scott’s tweet about the bird. Just had to see! And then, I got here and I’m so glad! This is beautiful!
    The poetry…
    The verse…
    The photo…
    The story of the bird – being watched, the watchers, and the flying away.

    Thank you for this. I’m feeling flatter. 🙂

    • Sandra says

      December 21, 2010 at 4:24 pm

      Thanks, Deidra.

      Birds often bounce off that window. Sometimes it’s just a bop and go. Sometimes they knock themselves for a loop and have to sit to get their bearings. I’ve never seen one land like this. And I didn’t realize until I “processed” the photo that the wing tips were frayed around the edges. Guess it goes to show we can still fly even though we’re a tad ragged.

      Now if I could just feel as flat in body as spirit. 😉

      • Brock S. Henning says

        December 21, 2010 at 6:20 pm

        Yes, that bird story surprised me! Every bird I’ve watched slam into a window dropped dead. That’s amazing. And a Mary Christmas to you!

        • Sandra says

          December 21, 2010 at 7:00 pm

          They almost never hit super hard and almost always recover. We were most worried about this one because of the way it was spread out in the snow. They probably see branch reflections or something. Decals don’t seem to work. Maybe we should consider some kind of netting.

          We also have robins and cardinals that purposely try to knock themselves out on the basement windows in the spring. So annoying. A territorial thing, I guess.

          Blessings on your Christmas, Brock.

  3. Dusty Rayburn says

    December 21, 2010 at 4:23 pm

    Amen. I want to ooze His aroma forever.

    • Sandra says

      December 21, 2010 at 4:26 pm

      😀 Me, too!

  4. Louise says

    December 22, 2010 at 4:13 am

    What an amazing photo — and analogy.

    Love it!

    And a Mary Christmas to you as well!

    Hugs

    • Sandra says

      December 22, 2010 at 9:20 am

      Hugs back to you, Louise. Joy!

  5. Faith Barista Bonnie says

    December 26, 2010 at 5:56 pm

    Whew. I was worried there for a minute, Sandy. 😉

    Your writing does that — lead us down and journey and then places us at the end encouraged and inspired.

    May God bless your writing endeavors — esp. those TWO books that are waiting to come alive under your pen. Go, Sandy!

    Thank you for being a part of the jams… I’m always curious and eagerly anticipating what you’d be sharing. Blessed by your words.

    Merry Christmas, Sandy!

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