The Lord Is with Us

As we walk together into the Christmas season, let us push back the heightened stress or “bah humbug” we are usually tempted to embrace this time of year.

Instead, this five-day reading plan is intended to help prepare our hearts to truly celebrate His birth. The first chapter of Luke is a powerful platform for the Christmas story.

The birth of Jesus was of such significance it required an angelic announcement. This baby announcement required far more than a social media post or card in the mail. The Messiah’s birth meant a word from heaven: a star for the wise men, the heavenly hosts for the shepherds, and the angel Gabriel for Mary. Heaven declared to earth, in numerous ways, “The Son of God is coming to earth to save souls. And Mary, you are going to play a central part.”

Obviously, to carry God’s Son in your womb is a heavy calling. Could anything be more overwhelming when you are promised in marriage to another and in a culture where pregnancy out of wedlock could be punishable by death? Mary is deeply troubled and afraid. So the angel brings greetings and lets her know God is on this journey with her. She is favored by God, filled with grace, no fear needed. This Greek word for “favored” is used only one other time in the New Testament in Ephesians 1:6 “to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved” (HCSB). In a way, God is saying to Mary, “You are secure. I’ve got you.” Ponder, yes, of course. Please ponder but don’t panic. God is with you in the womb and in the world. God is going to lead the entire journey.

We soon see God will be with Mary and Joseph while riding the donkey, knocking on the door of the inn, in the stable, through the birth, in and out of Egypt, at the cross, and at the empty tomb.

Don’t panic, but trust the Lord is with you, Mary.

Now none of us are going to carry such a responsibility this Christmas season, but we need the Lord’s presence and guidance nonetheless. This season we will interact with family both distant and close, which is stress-inducing on its own aside from the constant feeling of having too much to do with too little time to do it. As we speak, the calendar is filling with school, church, and personal activities, school is wrapping up the semester, and work is frantic. All these things and more are purposeful parts of our lives, but they can be crushing if we believe we are walking through them alone. We need to know the Lord is with us. He is our power and strength. He is our guide and hope. He is the order in the chaos. The tasks are not too much for Him. He is with you.

Mary found God faithful and so will we in this season. Let’s trust Him more deeply than the first eleven months of the year. His favor is upon His people through Jesus. Let’s follow Luke through the plan of God—from the dark night of His birth to the empty tomb of His resurrection, realizing both were for us.

Prayer

Lord, remind me and show me that You are with me. I want to walk with You as I anticipate and celebrate your birth! May Christmas come alive like never before in my heart.