Earlier this week I shared
the following verses with our church staff, and I am still in awe of all God
did by bringing Jesus to earth as well as using Mary and Joseph. Read through the verses. I will share some thoughts afterwards.
LUKE 1 NLT
35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit
will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the
baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s
more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used
to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth
month. 37 For the word of God will never fail.” 38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s
servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the
angel left her.
42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed
to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 43 Why
am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? 44 When
I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he
said.”
LUKE 2 NLT
17 After seeing him, the shepherds told
everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this
child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but
Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
25 At that time there was a man in
Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for
the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26 and
had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and
Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon
was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,
29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as
you have promised. 30 I have seen your salvation, 31 which
you have prepared for all people. 32 He is a light to reveal God
to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”
33 Jesus’
parents were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to
Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to
fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God,
but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of
many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”
Each passage has incredible
truth that teaches us about our Savior and gives us insight in to how we should
respond to our God.
“May everything you have said about me come true.”
Mary was not only willing to
do what God destined her for, but she believed by faith that God could do
miracles.
“the baby in my womb jumped for joy.”
John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin, knew before he and Jesus were born that
there was something extra special happening.
His response had more to it than being in the presence of God. The future was bright!
“Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought
about them often.”
Can you imagine hearing all that Mary heard? She heard this part from some of the most
unlikely people, the shepherds. God is
always speaking, but we are not always listening. It is important to keep the words of God
rolling around in our lives. What we
think about a lot we begin to believe and act upon.
“Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said
about him.
This last passage was the response after hearing from an old man about
their son when Jesus was 8 days old.
They knew they were part of a miracle and God’s gift to the world. Yet there was more ahead for them.
There is more ahead for us too.
It is time to celebrate Christmas and believe that God has more in store
for us, for His church and for the world around us. Miracles still happen, and God still uses
people like you and me to get the ball rolling.
Mary and Joseph weren’t rich and didn't live in the biggest house in
town. God favored them. They allowed themselves to be used for God’s
plan. We can do the same!
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