The Peace and Promise of ChristmasSample

Imminent Arrivals

Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you -Luke 1:28. 

Our family had gathered for lots of food and for catching up with each other. Mark, our youngest son, had arrived early with his wife, and he told his mom he wanted to pray for the meal. We found that a bit surprising, as Mark was usually quiet. We soon found out why he had made such a request. 

As Mark began to pray, he choked up. First, he thanked God for his wife, Amy, and the opportunities the Lord was providing for them. Then he gave thanks for the child who would be born to them in the coming months. 

And that’s how Mark and Amy announced the imminent arrival of our grandchild!

Among the last events before the arrival of God’s Son on planet Earth were two baby announcements. First, an angel told an aged priest that he and his equally aged wife would have a child who would become the forerunner of the Messiah (see Luke 1:5–23). Then a young virgin was told that she would give birth to that Messiah. The angel Gabriel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus” (vs. 30–31).

The God of wonder brought His Son into the world with announcements of the impossible to a couple too old and a girl too young. What amazing declarations! He was sending His Son for all. 

What seems “impossible” to you today? How will you trust your impossibilities with the God who does miracles? 

Wondrous God, so many things in life block us and tempt us to see defeat and despair. May we see these as opportunities to trust You—the God who gave us the miracle of Christmas!