Abiding in ChristmasSample

"Abiding in Christmas: Daily Advent Thoughts" by Bryan Craig

DAY SEVENTEEN

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:26-33 ESV)

This scene never ceases to amaze me. Imagine a young girl in the youth group of your church, engaged to another nice young man. The couple has been committed to their faith and kept their relationship pure. They are looking forward to their wedding and their future together. Then an angel visits the girl, telling her she is going to conceive a baby boy, and he would become a mighty king. I doubt she could hear the part about this baby becoming a king, for she would still be trying to wrap her brain around becoming pregnant outside of marriage and without having sex. What?! And how would Joseph understand this, for he had been so faithful and so full of self-control in their relationship, only to see her become pregnant. And by whom? 

Once again, on the path to Jesus, the world could perceive scandal and impossibility, but God knew He found in Mary someone who would be obedient.

APPLICATION: Has God ever spoken to your heart asking you to do something difficult or even seemingly impossible? If not, are you seeking Him in His Word and listening to the Holy Spirit? What if, like Mary, your obedience or disobedience might make the difference for all eternity?