Journey to Bethlehem: An Advent Challenge

Day 8: Read Luke 1:26-38

An Angel Appears to Mary

Luke 1:26-38 reveals the story of another miraculous pregnancy. During Elizabeth's sixth month of pregnancy, the angel Gabriel went to the town of Nazareth. He went to a virgin named Mary, who was engaged to a man named Joseph. Joseph was a descendant of King David. The angel greeted her and told her the Lord had blessed her, but this greeting frightened Mary because she didn't know what it meant. The angel told her not to be frightened and said that God had shown His grace on her. He went on to tell her that she would become pregnant and have a son. She would name the baby Jesus and he would be great, the Son of the Most High. The Lord would give him the throne of King David, his ancestor. Her son, Jesus, would rule over the people of Jacob forever and his kingdom will never end. Mary asked the angel how this would be possible since she was a virgin. The angel answered that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and the power of the Most High would cover her. It is this reason that the baby will be holy and will be called the Son of God. The angel then told Mary that her relative Elizabeth is pregnant though she is very old. The angel says that everyone thought she was unable to have a baby, but that God could do anything. When Mary heard this she said, "I am the servant of the Lord. Let this happen to me as you say!" Then the angel departed from her.

This passage reveals the plan of Jesus's birth. God had selected Mary, a virgin, to be Jesus's mother. He could have selected another woman, but He selected a virgin that Jesus's birth would be miraculous from the beginning. A virgin was physically unable to become pregnant let alone to give birth to a baby. The Holy Spirit would come upon her and she would become pregnant, which meant that Jesus's father wouldn't be biologically a man. Since his father wasn't man, but God Jesus would be considered holy, the Son of God. The angel must be aware that this news is a hard pill to swallow and so goes on to tell Mary about Elizabeth's miraculous pregnancy that demonstrates God can do anything. Upon hearing this Mary believes, commits herself to the Lord as His servant, and welcomes the arrival of the good news the angel has spoken of. 

Christians can learn from Mary's response to this incredulous news. First, Mary questioned the news, not from lack of faith, but from her human perspective. As far as her knowledge allowed, virgin women could not become pregnant and have sons, it was simply impossible. Yet, she doesn't say this. Instead she asks how will God accomplish it given her circumstances. She wants to understand how it is going to work and in essence know her role beyond being the child's mother. This is important to know because sometimes God requires us to do an action in order for His will to be carried out as promised. Second, upon hearing how and being reminded God can do anything, she confesses that she is God's servant and that she is awaiting for His words to be carried out. Mary doesn't complain, argue, or question God's plan further. She could have voiced criticism or complaint about this role He wanted her to play. An unwed woman becoming pregnant would have damaged her reputation and may even have cost her her life. In the very least she would have faced ridicule every where she went. Not to mention she might not have felt ready to be a mother. Regardless of her thoughts in that moment, she committed herself to the Lord and wanted His will to be done. Similarly this should be our response when God tells us His plan. 

Perhaps this Christmas we need to seek God's will in our lives and then like Mary welcome the fulfillment of His words. Then our lives will give birth to His will like Mary gave birth to Jesus. What is God calling you to do?

God Isn't A Genie

"We all want everything to be ok. We don't even wish so much for fantastic or marvelous or outstanding. We will happily settle for okay, because most of the time, okay is enough." -David Levithan (Every Day)

This quote has become the backdrop of today. By all regards I am okay. I have a house, I have food, I have clothes, I have a job, I have family, and I have friends. On all accounts I am okay and yet today it isn't enough. Today I need more. My needs were provided for and yet my heart is unhappy. At the center of being okay is this deep sadness that comes from unmet desire. Desire being the longing for the one I love and restoration that seems more and more like an impossibility. 

Yet, even now, I can't deny I'm not okay. I want to pray for the marvelous, but I don't because God isn't a genie that grants wishes. Sometimes you just need to have faith that God is able and even if He doesn't that it doesn't change who He is (Daniel 3:17-18). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego thrown into the fiery furnace did not ask God for a miracle. Instead they boldly claim God's ability to rescue them, that He would rescue them, but that if He didn't they still wouldn't worship the gold image. These men were so confident in God's ability and they trusted Him so completely that they didn't need to ask God to spare them.

God tells us to pray for what we need, but constantly asking for a miracle or for the marvelous might indicate a lack of faith. Tonight I am keenly aware that I might be asking too much. Often I have prayed the same prayer, not sure of how it will be answered, and lately not sure it will be answered. Waiting has tested my faith and I have clung to prayer as the means of achieving the end. Yet God has heard me, even before the words were on my tongue, and He knows the desires of my heart. I do not need to pray endlessly about it. Prayer has become my crutch and when I don't see an answer I believe I haven't prayed right. I'm beginning to think my faith is lacking. Tonight, I prayed to be like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. That I would trust God so completely that I wouldn't have to ask and that my confidence lied in His abilities only.