One of my joys of the Christmas season is going to the mailbox each day … and collecting what often seems like an abundance of Christmas cards & letters that fill it this time of year. Do some of you enjoy that part of this season that we’re now in? And they’ve already started coming… It’s just fun & refreshing to reconnect with folks that we may only hear from once a year…
Over 2,000 years ago, Mary received some ‘angelic mail’—an angel delivering a message from God Himself. While the message she received cause Mary to be a bit troubled, you have to admit that a personal contact from God Almighty would have been a pretty significant highlight of Mary’s life. The angel told Mary that she was favored and that the Lord was with her…
While we probably won’t be visited by angels like that during this Christmas season, the exact same message that Mary received is still being offered to us today! Christ came once through the Virgin Mary, but he came for all … and he came as Immanuel—GOD WITH US … and he’s still with us today! Listen to our Bible story for today, would you? Here is Mary receiving her ‘angelic mail’ (Luke 1:26-38, NLT)…
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” 29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” 34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” 35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.” 38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
Folks, again, Jesus came as Immanuel … which means, GOD WITH US. And I want to encourage you today by letting you know that he is. It doesn’t matter what we’ve been through in our lives … or what we’re going through even now, we must always remember that Immanuel was born to us; truly, the Lord is with us… I WANT YOU TO START OUT THIS SEASON OF ADVENT BY TAKING HOPE in that truth, and in these ways…
TAKE HOPE: The Lord Knows your STATUS (in life). Verses 26-28 tell us again, “In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!’”
Prior to the angel’s announcement, it’s likely that young Mary was viewed as an insignificant, young girl whom life could easily pass by. As a woman—and an unmarried one at that, her culture would not have chosen Mary to lead the choir, much less to be the earthly mother of the Messiah. Yet, God knew where she lived—Nazareth. And Nazareth was no special hometown, especially compared to the likes of Jerusalem or Bethlehem. Yet, God knew Mary’s name. He knew her personality and her character. Most importantly, God knew Mary’s willing and obedient heart…
Folks, God knows who you and I are, too! He knows who we are … in the worlds’ eyes; he knows what we’re dealing with today. And because God loves us, he sent his Son, Jesus, to be with us—no matter who we are or what our station in life … and to give us the HOPE of heaven! He didn’t come to earth to leave us alone; God sent Jesus to earth as Mary’s baby boy … in order to meet us right where we are! So, TAKE HOPE: The Lord knows your status in life! And then…
TAKE HOPE: The Lord knows your FEARS. Verses 29-30 tell us, “Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 ‘Don’t be afraid, Mary,’ the angel told her, ‘for you have found favor with God!’”
Mary was troubled by the angel Gabriel’s greeting. And who wouldn’t be? Think about how you’d feel if suddenly an angel appeared to you … with a message from God? Think about everything in your life that might be altered due to that one conversation…
By the time Gabriel finished his announcement, Mary was scared. She’d be carrying God’s Son in her womb. For some this might be exciting, but for Mary—and even Joseph—this could mean death! Do you remember what punishment could be delivered according to the Law? Let me remind you; the Life Application notes tell us this:
There were three steps in a Jewish marriage. First, the two families agreed to the union. Second, a public announcement was made. At this point, the couple was “pledged.” This was similar to engagement today except that their relationship could be broken only through death or divorce (even though sexual relations were not yet permitted). Third, the couple was married and began living together. Because Mary and Joseph were engaged, Mary’s apparent unfaithfulness carried a severe social stigma. According to Jewish civil law, Joseph had a right to divorce her, and the Jewish authorities could have had her stoned to death (Deuteronomy 22:23,24).
So, in light of all that, what troubles you today? What leaves you raw with a sense of fear? What has you questioning God’s timing in your life? Have you ever felt like God was interrupting your life in an inconvenient or insensitive manner?
Folks, God knows your fears … and you’re not alone! He’s likely working things out in a way you cannot see, just as he did when he sent an angel to Joseph (Matt. 1:20-21) and when he gave cousin Elizabeth a spirit-filled response when young Mary entered her home (Luke 1:41-45). TAKE HOPE, for the Lord knows your fears… Next:
TAKE HOPE: The Lord knows your PURPOSE. Verses 31-33 is where the angel says to Mary, “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Just as the Lord knew the best purpose for Mary’s life, he knows the best purpose for yours and mine, too! And let me remind all of you that God created us; no one knows what’s best for our lives better than God does!
The purpose God had for Mary’s life went something like this:
• You will be with child;
• You will give birth to a son;
• You will name him … Jesus;
• You & all will know that he’ll be GREAT;
• You & all will know that he’ll be called ‘SON OF THE MOST HIGH’;
• You & all will know that he’ll be given David’s throne to reign over the House of Jacob forever—a kingdom that will never, ever end…
Do you ever wish that your life could just unfold in six simple steps, like it did for Mary? We know better than that, don’t we? There were preparations being made from the beginning of time for the six easy steps of Mary’s life! God obviously knew and knows what he’s doing! His ways are not our ways (Is. 55:8); yet God wants our way to follow his way. Mary did. And we can, too…
Everything that happened in Mary’s life was in line with God’s plan for her life, as it had been planned all along. We see that in Mary’s life; yet, why do we sometimes question what God’s doing in our own lives? Mary would tell you: God knows what he’s doing and simply needs faithful servants to carry out his purposes… TAKE HOPE: The Lord knows the very best purpose for your life—his purpose! Then:
TAKE HOPE: The Lord knows your DOUBTS. Verses 34-36 share Mary’s response: “Mary asked the angel, ‘But how can this happen? I am a virgin.’ 35 The angel replied, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month.’” You know, I believe God has a word that will shoot down every one of our doubts today, just as he did for Mary; God loves us that much…
Take just a moment, though, and think about all the doubts Mary and Joseph would have carried with them when they hear the announcements regarding the birth of their Son:
• Mary’s a virgin; how is she going to be ‘with child?’
• Mary’s too young & inexperienced to be the Son of God’s earthly mother…
• Mary’s not from a royal blood line; she’s ‘common’…
• Mary & Joseph already have a caterer, a florist, and a photographer lined up for their wedding…
• Life was too busy to be interrupted at this point in time—not convenient, God…
• Simply put, God was interfering with Mary & Joseph’s plans for their lives … and they had doubts…
What I want you to know today is this: Some Christians attempt to resolve the whole idea of doubt by saying things like, “A true believer ought not to doubt – that’s the end of the matter.” What kind of answer is that? Os Guinness puts it like this: “Doubt is a state of mind in suspension between faith and unbelief so that it is neither of them wholly and is only each partly.” I like that. When we have an honest doubt, we are not betraying our faith … or surrendering to unbelief. We’re simply saying we are in two minds – and asking which way to go. I believe your doubts will lead you to a deeper relationship with God, as long as you continue to put your overall faith in Him! God knows your doubts…
So, what doubts do you have today? Do you doubt that God has a plan for your life; or, do you know what it is but still doubt God’s plan for your life? Do you have doubts about tomorrow, even though you believe in Immanuel—GOD IS WITH US? If you still have doubts, then please remember:
TAKE HOPE: The Lord can (also) do the IMPOSSIBLE! Verses 37-38 shares with us the Angel’s final word to Mary and Mary’s response: “‘For nothing is impossible with God.’ 38 Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.’ And then the angel left her.” Folks, Mary was ready for the impossible—to be a virgin & still give birth to God’s Son; her simple, yet profound faith allowed her to be ready…
The virgin birth is one of a few pinnacle doctrines in Christianity that demonstrate God’s impossible, miraculous power! You see, if the virgin birth didn’t take place…
• There’d be no perfect Savior…
• There’d be no forgiveness of sin…
• There’d be no possibility of living a holy (set apart) life…
• And there’d be no eternity in heaven!
BUT THERE IS… Folks, TAKE HOPE: The Lord can do the IMPOSSIBLE! So, as we begin this season of Advent together, let me ask you:
• What seems impossible in your life today?
• Can you, like Mary, offer God a willing heart … even though God’s ways of doing things aren’t making any sense at the moment?
• Are you placing your HOPE in your ability … or God’s?
Folks, today we can—without doubt—take HOPE in our Lord Jesus. HE IS WITH US! (If you ever feel alone, you especially need to hear that!) He didn’t just come to Mary and to Joseph and to a choice few; Jesus, Immanuel, has come for all who will believe! PUT YOUR FAITH THERE … AND THE HOPE OF HEAVEN WILL BE YOURS!