For many centuries, the Israelites waited for the coming of the Messiah, a King, Savior and Deliverer. With the birth of Jesus, the wait finally came to an end.
This newborn was not only the Messiah, but God Himself!
This newborn was not only the Messiah, but God Himself! In the beginning was the Word, … and the Word was with God, The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
John 1:1 and 14a
The miracle of Jesus’ birth is that he was fully God and fully man. He came from the glory of his Father, but took on human form.
At Christmas we celebrate this miracle! Thanks be to God that he sent his Son to earth.
Jesus, God himself, has a birthday on Christmas. How do you celebrate Christmas?
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Luke 2:19
Mary had just given birth to a child. Jesus, the promised Messiah and Savior, lays before her in a manger. Rejoicing angels announced to the shepherds nearby the joy of God of the birth of his only Son. They hurried to see the newborn Savior. But Mary – in the midst of the excitement and celebration – kept a quiet heart. She thought and marveled at all that was said about the child who was under her and Joseph’s protection and care.
Twelve years later, Mary and Joseph thought they had lost Jesus when they were on their way home after a religious holiday in Jerusalem. When they finally found him in the temple, he explained to them that he must be in his father’s house. And once again:
But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
Luke 2:51
How is your heart responding to this Christmas season? Can you slow down a little in the midst of the Christmas festivities? Take time today, like Mary, to reflect, to wonder, and to encounter Jesus.
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. Mary had just received the greatest treasure –.
Luke 1:39-40
she was pregnant with Jesus. Who was she going to see? Someone who would understand her. Gabriel, the angel and messenger of God, had said:
Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”
Luke 1:36-37
Mary visited someone who could encourage her in her faith and was already a little further along in her pregnancy.
This wise decision did her a world of good. In response to Mary’s voice, the child leapt in Elisabet’s womb! Elisabet exclaimed:
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!
Luke 1:45
Mary then proclaimed the message of God’s grace that is sung throughout the world.
On your journey through life, you too carry a treasure with you, a searching heart. Who would be a “safe place” for you to entrust your heart to?
I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Luke 1:38
Corrie ten Boom, who helped save many Jewish people in Holland during the Holocaust, once described salvation as a “first YES to Jesus.”
Mary, the mother of Jesus, had already said her first YES to God before an angel, a messenger from God, appeared turning her life upside down. This subsequent YES to God’s plan came from a heart that trusted her Lord.
This illegitimate pregnancy could have caused major issues, including the possible loss of her marriage to her fiancé, Joseph. But Mary rejoiced in what she considered the greatest honour that could ever be bestowed on a woman: to be the mother of Jesus, the Savior of the world! She trusted that God, who had chosen her, would also be with her and make a way for her. She could continue to say YES to Him without fear.
What about you? Have you already said your first YES to Jesus? Jesus – the one who knows exactly how it is to grow up on this earth – invites you to give him your trust. Is there something that is holding you back? You can tell him.
Neulich hörte ich, wie eine Mutter ihrem 6-jährigen zum Geburtstag Frieden wünschte. Wir sehnen uns alle nach Frieden. Doch leider leben wir in einer Welt, in der eher Chaos statt Frieden die Norm zu sein scheint.
Wir werden ständig von Tragödien bombardiert, die sich in der Welt ereignen. Sie bedrohen dauernd unser Bedürfnis nach Frieden. Auch Herausforderungen im Alltag können uns verunsichern und uns den inneren Frieden rauben. Zum Beispiel drohende Abgabetermine, geplatzte Verträge mit wichtigen Kunden oder schlechte Nachrichten vom Arzt.
In der Bibel lesen wir, dass wahrer und tiefer Frieden nur in einem unveränderlichen und zuverlässigen Gott zu finden ist. Sie sagt: «Herr, du gibst Frieden dem, der fest an dich hält und dir allein vertraut!»
Jesaja 26,3
Dieser Frieden ist unabhängig von den Umständen. Das Chaos existiert weiter, doch wir finden Frieden in Gott, wenn wir ihm vertrauen.
Wirst du heute bei Gott Frieden suchen, inmitten von deinem Chaos?
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