Rediscovering Christmasنموونە

FILLING THE HEART

Each of these devotionals focuses on a different character in the original Christmas Story. Our first character is Mary.

An angel came to the young Mary of Nazareth and announced the miracle that God had planted the Earth’s Savior in Mary’s womb. The angel said, “The Holy Spirit will come on 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” (Luke 1:35).

Consider Mary’s role in this conversation. She receives Grace from God in the form of Spiritual Pregnancy. She was chosen to carry the Christ Child in her womb. She, therefore, is a picture of how the Gospel of Jesus Christ works. Mary did not achieve anything; she received everything. The reason Gabriel called her Mary “full of Grace” was that God’s Extravagant Grace literally filled her womb (verse 28).

What’s the connection here for our own lives?

Well, the apostle Paul posed this staggering question: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). To the church in Colossae, Paul wrote, “God has chosen to make known … the glorious riches of this mys­tery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Just as Mary—full of Grace—carried God the Son around in her body, so we—full of Grace—carry God the Spirit around in ours.

Perhaps, like Mary, you’re asking, “How can this be?” Gabriel’s answer to Mary is the same for us today. Say yes to God and receive the Holy Spirit. You cannot achieve entrance to God’s Kingdom. It’s all Grace.

No, we do not perform our way into God’s Kingdom. God freely offers the Holy Spirit to indwell all who call upon the Name of Jesus, the Son. May you follow Mary’s lead and respond likewise: “I am the Lord’s servant. … May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38).

When we take time to be with God, we rediscover the mystery of Christ living in us at the center of our being. Spend time today asking God for a new filling of the Spirit and committing yourself to humble obedience.