Christmas is less than a week away. This week we will take a trip with the players of the Christmas story. Some of them we may know well. Others we will get to know.
Let’s look at Mary, the mother of Jesus. She has a key role in the story, and the way that God planned for her in Jesus’ life really is incredible.
We have been sharing a series at The Community Fellowship called “Who Is Jesus?” shared four key names of our Savior. They are Son of God, Immanuel, Messiah and Savior.
Each person of the Christmas story encounter Jesus in each of these ways. These names tell us a little more about Jesus and how His life impacts us, our families and the world. Mary teaches us much about life and how we can experience Jesus.
Luke 1:28-38 NLT
Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” 29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” 34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” 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.
The way that God interacted with Mary reminds us how God loves and guides us. Watch how these points reveal the character of God, His love for us and how His path for us is incredible and full.
God removed her fear. You will be full of fear too if an angel appeared to you. We would be afraid to go forward with a marriage and even life if an illegitimate child was coming in to the world. But her fears were relieved by the fate she put in God. He will take away our fear as well.
Mary was given purpose in the journey ahead, the pregnancy she would have as well as the baby she was going to give birth too. God gives us purpose as we follow His call on our lives. That was true of Mary, and God’s plan came alive in her.
The last verses depicts how Mary accepted and delighted in what God was doing. She accepted faith and the purpose of God for her life and for the world. We too must accept what God offers. Then, watch God do what no one else can do. Be willing to let God work in your life and impact the lives of others.
Through Mary, all who have lived would be blessed or have been blessed. I have experienced that reality. Have you?
Mary is a great player in the Christmas story. She reminds me of how God removes our fear as we follow His purpose for our lives.
May God make this Christmas celebration the best we have ever had.
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