Christmas Day A Promise Kept
Wednesday December 25, 2013
"With God, nothing will be impossible." This is what the angel told Mary when he announced God's intention to have her give birth to His Son, Jesus. Mary discovered these words to be true that first Christmas night 2000 years ago. Even before she held Baby Jesus in her arms, her response to God's choice for her was an ecstatic song, flooded with praises to God and full of confidence in God's promise to accomplish His purposes through this humble girl.
Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever. (Luke 1:46-55 NLT)
Jesus came to earth and paid special attention to the poor, the despised, the hurt, and the sinful. He rejected no one. He ignored no one. And no one today is beyond the scope of His love or beyond His ability to help -- including you and me. God cares for people no matter what they have done or what they have suffered, either by their own choices or through the sins of another. Only this kind of deep love can satisfy our deepest needs. When our life seems most unmanageable we often feel that no one understands and no one cares. God both understands and cares. The birth of Jesus is God's clear message to us that He planned to enter into our experience and our pain. He did this when He gave Jesus to die in our place. Whatever it takes to provide healing and restoration for us God has already done. Together with Mary, we can safely turn our lives over to Him for He is trustworthy and has a wonderful plan for us.
Mary's song is one we too can sing. We have been rescued from places of fear and domination. God is merciful to us and has reached into the places where our hearts hunger for more of Him. God has named our value by demonstrating we are worth His saving efforts. God has chosen us to carry His name and His message to others who suffer. The birth of Jesus Christ clearly declares that with God, nothing is impossible. God definitely will fulfill His purposes for our lives. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. (Psalm 138:7-8a ESV)
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