Baby Jesus

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (NIV) Luke 1:26-28

Have you ever wondered why God chose Mary? Of all the young Jewish girls, why was Mary singled out to be the mother of Jesus? From Luke 1:26-55 we learn that she found favor in God’s eyes, she was fearless, and she was full of faith.

FAVOR WITH GOD
. . . the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God (NIV Luke 1:30). She was highly honored, approved of by God. Mary was the type who “stood out.” She was a good Jew, obedient to God’s laws. And we know that she was a “worship-er” of God (Luke 1:46-55)

FEARLESS
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her (NIV Luke 1:35, 38). She was fearless, willing to accept the scorn of an accusatory society and an unbelieving nation (unmarried, pregnant women were stoned to death in that culture). She was fearless in following God!

FULL OF FAITH
“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord (NIV Luke 1:45-46). Mary was full of faith, faith in the Mighty One who had done great things for her!

Would God say to you: “You have found favor in My eyes?” How have you been living a life that would be pleasing to God? What are you doing that would not find favor with God? Are you fearless? Willing to fearlessly and boldly do whatever God asks you to do? What is God asking you to do now that you are wavering due to fear? Are you full of faith? Are you familiar with the ways of God? Would others describe you as full of faith or just like everyone else? What do you need to do to increase your faith?

Will you be like Mary. . . fearlessly following God. . . seeking to live a life full of faith. . . and finding favor in God’s eyes? We pray that you will have a wonderful Christmas. . .one that is filled with joy and peace. . .one that is filled with an awe of His presence in your life. . . and one that is filled with favor from on High!

Christmas reminds us that God is the ultimate re-arranger of lives. God radically rearranged Mary’s life when the angel, Gabriel, visited her. She probably was just entering her teen years. She was looking forward to marriage, to settling down, and to having children with Joseph. But, God had even greater plans for her. Gabriel told her that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and the power of the Most High would overshadow her. “So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35)

Despite her potential fears, Mary was willing to accept the scorn of an accusatory society and an unbelieving nation. She knew that the penalty for an unmarried, pregnant woman in her culture was to be stoned to death. But, she allowed God to rearrange her life because she grasped the purposes and promises of God. Mary was full of faith, faith in the Mighty One who had done great things for her!

But, the greatest rearrangement of a life is seen in the birth of Jesus. The long-awaited day had finally arrived. The anticipation was high. The angels in heaven surrounding the throne stand in holy awe, for the time had come! Jesus, their beloved Creator, the One who created the angels is about to veil His glory, God’s radiance, and take on human form. Incredibly, the Creator would take on the form of a creature!

An angel of the Lord appeared to a group of shepherds and said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:9-12) Greatest of all surprises, the Messiah came as a baby! This long-expected Messiah was now cradled in a manger in Bethlehem. The angels suddenly broke out in praise saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)

Their adulation is fitting. In Christ’s birth the incomprehensible happened. The glorious Son of God forsook His splendor in heaven to become one hundred percent human, just as we are. He began His life as a baby. He was born into humble surroundings, completely dependent upon Mary and Joseph. He came down from heaven not to do His own will but to do the will of the Father who sent Him. And that baby grew up and lived out God’s purpose before returning to His Father. “After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” (Hebrews 1:3) Jesus voluntarily allowed the Father to rearrange His “life” and He entered into our world. He did so to become our Savior.

My prayer for you this Christmas is that you experience the peace which transcends all understanding…peace from Jesus Himself, the One who is, who was and who is to come. May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace this Christmas as you trust in Him. May the Prince of Peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. Join me this Christmas season in worshiping our Mighty King, Jesus Christ!

Merry Christmas!
Marji “Mike” Kruger

Baby Jesus

Christmas Faith: Mary

The Ultimate Re-Arranger of Life