Hi there, David here.
There is more. There’s more to the story than Christmas carols and Christmas trees. This week we’re focusing on the lead up to Christmas – Advent. Advent tells us that the Messiah is coming, our rescue is coming and God is coming to make all things new. O Come O Come Emmanuel’. It’s a special time of year because it reminds us that there is more to this season than twinkling lights and late-night shopping.
Everyone loves a good story. It’s Christmas and it’s an excellent time for a story. This story isn’t new, it’s a very old story. You may have heard it several times before, but it’s worth telling again. It’s the story of how Christmas began and the story of how God is always with us. So let’s begin.
Once upon a time, in a land not so very far away there was a woman named Mary. Mary, a virgin , was living in Galilee of Nazareth and was engaged to be married to Joseph, a Jewish carpenter. An angel visited her and explained to her that she would conceive a son by the power of the Holy Spirit. She would carry and give birth to this child and she would name him Jesus.
At first Mary was afraid and troubled by the angel’s words. Being a virgin, Mary questioned the angel, “How will this be?” The angel explained that the child would be God’s own Son and, therefore, “nothing is impossible with God.” Humbled and in awe, Mary believed the angel of the Lord and rejoiced in God her Saviour.
Here are some questions for you to think about:
1. What can we learn from Mary?
2. What can grow is us if we just trust God?
3. What are we believing today that is impossible?
4. What needs to change to make this possible?
5. What do you need to do next? Who will you talk to?
We all know how the rest of the Mary’s story goes but I want to pause here and focus on how Mary experienced God. Amy Grant in her song Breath of Heaven (see video clip below), captures the humanity of Mary’s experience.
Breath of Heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of HeavenBreath of Heaven
Lighten my darkness
Pour over me, your holiness
For your holy Breath of Heaven
Surely Mary also reflected with wonder on the words found in Isaiah 7:14 foretelling this event, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
Here’s my reflection on Mary’s story, the beginning of the story of Christmas, and how God is with us in all our beginnings.
May God be with you and all those you love in the lead up to Christmas.
Immanuel
God with us
Walk beside us today
Just like you walked with Mary
As she walked along her way
God with us
Hear our silent prayer
Just like you heard Mary
In between her frightened tears
God with us
Draw us close to you
Just like you did with Mary
Make our hearts brand new
God with us
In our hearts you dwell
Just like you were to Mary
Be Our Immanuel
