Focus on ChristSýnishorn

The Lord’s servant

“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world… No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” John 1:9,18

It can be easy to get lost in the preparations for Christmas: writing cards, buying presents and so on. But what about the things we can’t plan for: the boiler breaking down, suddenly being made redundant, or dealing with illness in our family? We live in a world that relies heavily on our own plans. But how can we as Christians choose to trust God in the face of uncertainty this Christmas, remembering the fundamental truth that it starts with Christ?

Inspiration

We don’t need to look very far in the Christmas story for our inspiration. Mary was a young, unmarried girl without money or status. Nothing would be more unexpected for her than to find herself expecting a baby (despite being a virgin) who was to be Emmanuel, God with us! At a time when having children outside of wedlock was deeply shocking, and with her husband-to-be planning to divorce her, how did Mary respond? She chose to trust God: “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” 

Provision

And was Mary right to trust God in the face of the uncertainty that being Jesus’ mother brought? God provided for her in all the ways she needed. Joseph did not reject her, having heard from God in a dream, but took her home as his wife (meaning she was also not ostracised from her community). Not only that, but God achieved his most remarkable purpose in history through her. He sent his son, Jesus, into the world to make himself known and to reconcile humankind to God – the most precious Christmas gift of all time.

“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” 

A reflection from Lucie Woolley, a research assistant to the Global Advocacy and Influencing Director and the Theology Team at Tearfund.