As we approach Christmas, it seems fitting and good that we examine the lives of the characters who were so deeply involved around the Christmas story.
We’ll commence with Mary who was the only person present at Jesus’ birth in a very humble place, as well as being there at His agonizing death on the cross. “She saw Him arrive as her baby and she watched Him die as her Saviour.” [Life Application Bible]
Mary was a young Jewish woman who lived in Nazareth. She was engaged to be married to Joseph, a carpenter. She was looking forward to marriage when the Angel Gabriel appeared to her and told her, “You have found favour with God…The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the Most High will overshadow you…you will give birth to a son and you are to name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of God.” [From Luke 1:29-35]
We can only imagine the awe, shock, fear, and thoughts that ran through Mary’s mind. Yet she accepted her destiny and God’s purposes and will for her life. She was humble and submissive to being available for Father God to use her for the enormous responsibilities He was calling her to.
Mary’s reply to Angel Gabriel was, “I am the Lord’s servant…May it be to me as you have said.”
As we celebrate this Christmas, may our hearts and lives be in tune with the Lord’s unique plans and will for us! We certainly need humble and submissive hearts during these crucial times we are living in, so that our Lord and Saviour can use us to further His Kingdom for His glory.
Prayer: Precious Lord Jesus, thank You for being so willing to leave glorious Heaven and come to this dirty, overwhelming earth to live among us, to die for us, to rise again, and to pave the way for us to gain salvation, righteousness, and eternal life. Please give us humble hearts like Mary had, to be willing to be and to do what You call us to be and to do, for Your Name’s sake, Amen.
Myrtle Turunen