“…she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:18c
Many of us know the joy, accompanied with a certain amount of stress, that accompanies a baby on the way. There is nine months of expanding discomfort and in the last moments (or perhaps hours) pain. We can envision all this for Mary. But, for her there was much, much more.
We are once again anticipating a baby on the way. This baby was conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit who came upon the Virgin Mary. This in and of itself, is hard to wrap our minds around! There is no way to do it but by faith, and trust, and belief in God.
Mary was young, too young we might say, to have a baby. But, here she was—not married, although betrothed (engaged) to Joseph. How would he react? The scripture tells us that he, too, was visited by an angel of the Lord who prepared him and commanded him to stand beside Mary, “having no marital relations until she had borne a son.” (Matthew 1:18-25) This angel also told them the baby’s name—Emmanuel (which means God with us).
Think of it!! God came to earth in the form of a baby whom we call Jesus, who was born to give Himself up to death that you and I might live! He lay there in the manger surrounded by his mother and earthly father, Joseph. If anyone really knew who this baby was I believe it was the animals that lay there in the cold and hay with Him. This Jesus was not born of the blood, or the flesh, or of the will of man, but of the will of God. (John 1:13) He came that you and I might know and understand the love that the father has for us. But, still some turn their backs on Him, which is illustrated when the Innkeeper told Mary and Joseph that there was no room for them in the Inn—”Go to the stable!” he said.
December 25th is the date man has chosen to celebrate the birthday of Jesus the Messiah. Let us offer the gift that goes on giving—ourselves. Turn the lights on in your heart that the true meaning of this day, when God came to earth and dwelt among us, will change not only this one day, but every day to come. May you experience the joy of walking with Jesus—the baby that was borne to die to save your soul. He ultimately gave Himself up for you—and is our Greatest Gift.
Let us pray
Dear Lord, Please help us to
Listen like the shepherds…
Rejoice like the angels…
Seek like the wise men…
Believe like Mary and Joseph…
And live all year long
With the peace, joy and love
Christ came to give.
AMEN
PEACE ON EARTH AND GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN!
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