The Jews who were with her in the house consoling her saw that Mary got up quickly and went out. They followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to cry there.

John 11:31 CSB

Who were these people?

We have no idea who they are, but we do know this, that four days after Lazarus has been buried they're still there, supporting and caring for Mary.

Sharing in her loss, her grief. 

They stayed close. 

In my (church) culture I've noticed that we're quite good when a crisis hits, but not so good when pain is chronic, when things don't get better quickly, when families don't work, when relationships end, when depression hits.

We don't know how long Mary's people were prepared to stay, but it seems her community were there, attending, attentive, walking with her in this. 

At Christmas there's a massive focus on the nuclear family, and there's these unwritten rules that everyone should be happy. But for some their family is a source of pain, some are in pain, some alone. 

When Mary went to leave, someone on her team noticed, and stuck with her. 

This Christmas, notice those in your life. Don't just expect everything is tinsel and nice, check in on those you care about, those on their own, wrap them in. Include them. 

Within this story Jesus is living out here of his mission, the Big Story, is this small, beautiful picture of people loving one another. 

Maybe that's Christmas.

#Jesuslovesyou

#thereisaBigStory

#lovepeople