G.I.F.T. – God Is Forever True.
It is Christmas! And on this day, the third and greatest gift is revealed. The birth of Jesus to a virgin whose faith overcame fear to bring salvation to the world.
Luke 1:26-38 tells the story of Mary’s encounter with Gabriel. “26 Six months after Elizabeth had become pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee. 27 The angel went to a virgin promised in marriage to a descendant of David named Joseph. The virgin’s name was Mary.28 When the angel entered her home, he greeted her and said, “You are favored by the Lord! The Lord is with you.”29 She was startled by what the angel said and tried to figure out what this greeting meant.30 The angel told her,
“Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God. 31 You will become pregnant, give birth to a son,and name him Jesus.32 He will be a great man and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give himthe throne of his ancestor David. 33 Your son will be king of Jacob’s people forever, and his kingdom will never end.”34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this be? I’m a virgin.” 35 The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come to you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy child developing inside you will be called the Son of God. 36 “Elizabeth, your relative, is six months pregnant with a son in her old age. People said she couldn’t have a child. 37 But nothing is impossible for God.” 38 Mary answered, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me.”
Mary trusted God amid unimaginable, unbelievable, incomprehensible news. She may have been young – likely between 13-17 years old – but, she was not immature in faith. In a time when she would have been ridiculed, abandoned by her fiancé for being pregnant outside of marriage, Mary embraced God’s plan for her life. Trusting her role. Believing that God is Forever True.
Through Mary’s faith, and God’s immeasurable love for us, we received the greatest gift – Jesus Christ. I’ve often said that my salvation is the greatest gift I’ve ever received. But I think I’ve had a change of heart. I think the birth of Jesus is the greatest gift any of us have received. Because without the birth of Jesus, we don’t have the life of Jesus. We don’t have the death of Jesus. We don’t have the resurrection of Jesus.
Without the birth, there is no salvation.
Only by the faith of a young girl who stared fear in the face and said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me.” A girl willing to be God’s servant; to walk in obedience.
“So, they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:16-18)
Mary treasured up all these things. As she held her son – human and God. Facing more unknowns. Heartache. Loss. Accepting the gift God had entrusted to her. A gift that is given again and again. A gift that calls us home. A gift that is passed from one to another through the telling of the Christmas story.
So, on this Christmas day, may you remember the greatest gift. Jesus Christ. God’s promise fulfilled. God’s truth…forever breathed into His children. In His image. Because of His love.
Merry Christmas!
This week’s accompanying prayer can be found at: https://simplyjoy.online/prayers/thank-you-for-the-best-gift-ever/