She could have said no you know, this young innocent girl. She had plans for her life, to be married, have children. But God….but God had better plans. She would be the mother of our Savior, her Savior.
And how can we not stand in awe of how Mary responded to the news from God’s messenger, the angel Gabriel. After Gabriel announced God’s plan for Mary’s life, she listened in silence and then ask one question.
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
Luke 1:34
Only one question, no panic, no excuses, no what will people say, will Joseph still marry me, will my life be in danger? Just one question, How? How will this be?
And the angel reassured her of God’s greatness. Luke 1:37–For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Luke 1:38–And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.
And Mary turned her fear into faith, her faith into obedience, and became a great servant for God.
A few years ago while working at Samaritan’s Purse at the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Center a lady named Joanna was there. There volunteering her time at my table. Eighty-eight years young, a retired English teacher from Tennessee. I ask if she would like to take a break after a few hours and she replied, ‘No honey. I just want to work. It is such a blessing to be here’.
There was this thing that happened on the Sabbath. Reading my Bible in the early morning and some journal notes from months past and I turned to the book of 2 Corinthians, Chapter 4–Verse 3, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.”
Our pastor, he stands with a smile and welcomes us to Sunday morning worship and says, if you have your Bibles turn with me to 2 Corinthians, Chapter 4–Verse 3.
And there it was again, but this time on the big screen in front of my watery eyes and our pastor reads, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.”
And there was Mary and Joanna, serving. Their gospels shining with the brightest of lights.
How can we be a gift this Christmas…
We shine our lights brightly by serving others
We shine our lights so others can see Christ
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. Luke 11:33
a beautiful grace 