Mary, Did You Know?

As we approach Christmas day, let us take time to stop and reflect on the miracle of Jesus' birth ! It's so easy to get caught up in everything but the right thing, Jesus! Our society has placed so much emphasis this time of year on all the things that take our eyes off the real reason for the season... Jesus Christ! There's Christmas parties, shopping, so much time searching for the perfect gift, wrapping, Black Thursday, Black Friday and every other day, so it seems. There's family gatherings, food, presents, lights, decorations, and the list goes on and on! I think you get my drift!! Satan has blinded many eyes and put many of us in bondage so that we are so exhausted from all the hustle and bustle, we miss Christmas and it's true meaning all together.

If you will give me just a few minutes of your time, I want to share with you about a girl named Mary, a young girl who was completely devoted to the Lord. A girl whose Faith was bigger than life itself!

Let’s take a look in Luke 1:28-38 "And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. "

What faith Mary must have had!! If you go back and look in verse 38, you will see that this is one of the greatest statements of faith!! “be it unto me according to thy word!” She believed and trusted even though she couldn’t have even began to comprehend what Gabriel had just told her. She had faith, even though common sense told her that it was completely impossible!

I was thinking about what must have been going through her mind as she made her way home that day. There are not enough words to describe what she must have been feeling!! I can’t imagine what her family and friends thought as she told them excitedly, what the Angel had just told her!!.. I’m sure the gossip and the accusations must have swirled around that little town of Nazereth when she told them all these things!
They must have thought she was crazy!!! Seriously, CRAZY! Who could ever make up such a story as that!
How could she be a virgin and be pregnant at the same time? Impossible? Not with God! NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!!

And we must not forget how Joseph reacted!! Mary begins telling him this unbelievable story tha the angel Gabriel had told her!

I believe he reacted like any man would react!!
How could it be??
What would he tell his family and friends?? How could he ever explain a story like this!
What would they think of them both?
What would everyone say??

But look what happens when the Angel appears to Joseph in a dream!

Matthew 2:18-20 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost"


QUESTION: How many of us would say “Yes” to God if we knew the heartache and pain that would follow??

Mary would soon realize that saying “Yes” to God would mean misunderstanding and public shame. Her reputation would soon be gone. Her dreams of a normal life in Nazareth would soon be gone. Her whole future was on the line when she said “Yes” to God.

This is the same with us! When we accept Christ into our hearts, we must accept the fact that there will be heartache, trials, sickness and pain, BUT. . . we also have a peace that passes all human understanding. We have so much joy in our hearts because we know that we have been redeemed!! Saved for eternity. We have a home waiting for us in Heaven where we will live forever!! Never to be snatched out of God’s Hands!!

So, even though there may be trials and testing times, we must keep our eyes on the goal!! Don’t look back! Stay in the Word and fix your eyes on the prize that is set before you!!
Even in all the heartache and trials that I have faced, I will say it again and again. . . Praise God for the storms because they only made me stronger and closer to Him and I know what is waiting for me at the end of my journey!!
John 16:33 says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Did Mary really know? Did she really understand the magnitude of what was about to happen?
Mary couldn't have known what the future completely would hold for her by saying “Yes” that day! She would experience heartache, opposition, slander, confusion, anguish, despair and even loneliness. In the end, she would face the greatest pain a mother could ever endure when she had to watch her Son be crucified on a cruel cross BUT. . . She also would give birth to the the greatest gift this world has ever been given; God’s only Son, Jesus Christ!! She would cradle in her arms and kiss the face of God!! The Redeemer of mankind; Our Salvation!!! Praise the Lord!

Mary wouldn't have a normal birth, but a supernatural birth! Jesus wasn't just a baby in a manger, He is so much more than that!!!

He is the Alpha and Omega
And the Great I AM
He is the Almighty
The Author and Finisher of our Faith!
He is the Beginning and the End
Our Bread of Life
The Bright and Morning Star
Our Comforter and
The Coming One
He is our Counselor and
Our Deliverer
Emmanuel, God with us, come to earth through Christ
He is the Friend of Sinners and
Forgiver of our sins
He is the Gentle Savior
and the Gift of life!
He is the great Healer
and Heir of All things
He is the Omnipotent, who rules
Our High Tower
He is Immortal
Jehovah God
Righteous Judge
He is the King of Kings and
Lord of lords
The Lover of my Soul!
He is Heaven’s Perfect Lamb
Light of the World
Master
Jesus Messiah!
He is our Prince of Peace
He is the kinsman Redeemer, who paid the slave man’s price
Our Ransom
He is the Resurrection and Life
Rose of Sharon
The Good Shepherd
Servant
He is Truth
Our Teacher
He is the true Vine
The Way
Worthy One

Without Christ, there would be no Christmas! With Him, it’s Christmas 365 days a year! He is more than just a time of year that we get together with family and open gifts!! We can have Him everyday; He is our one and only true gift that is everlasting!!! What more could we ask for??
　
Mary believed God when it seemed to be impossible. Remember, “NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!!! Mary said “Yes” to shame and glory; she said “Yes” to God’s Power; she said “Yes” to the impossible!She never looked back. Her Faith was amazing! Stay Faithful, no matter what comes your way!

In closing, let me say that we as Christians have been given the best "Gift" anyone could ever give. No money can buy it! It is a Gift! Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World!

If you are reading this letter and haven't experienced the gift of salvation, I urge you to do so now. Make this a Christmas to remember for the rest of your life! In order to receive this gift freely, all you have to do is believe that Jesus lived, died and rose again. Romans 10:9 says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
Ask Him to come live in your heart and life! Accept the Gift that God has so graciously given to us.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
　
　God is waiting for us to say “yes” to Him!! The possibilities are limitless!! God is waiting to use your life in ways you couldn’t even begin to imagine! Miracles still do happen today! Right before our very eyes!! They are happening all around us!! All we have to do is “Believe!” Believe God for all things even when it doesn’t seem to make any sense at all.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the Best Gift You gave us, Your Son, Jesus Christ, Our Emmanuel! You are the one and only reason for Christmas! Today, I ask that you will open up our hearts and allow Your will to be done in our lives! May we be more like Mary, willing to believe and trust in what You say You can do!! May we say “Yes” to You no matter the cost! For with you Father "NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!!!!
In Jesus' Precious Name

Merry Christmas to you and may God richly bless you and your family!!　
“Encouraged in Heart. . . United in Love”
Jenny
II Timothy 1:12