Christmas Devo | December 3

READ
Luke 1:31-33 

CONSIDER 
The whole story of God’s relationship with humanity is written in three acts. Act I is what we call the Old Testament. The story begins with God creating all things, culminating in making humankind in his image. Sadly, the first humans choose their own way over God’s way and this drives a wedge between humanity and God. He spends the rest of Act I trying to lead them back into a healthy, whole relationship with him only to have them (us) continually drag the relationship into a toxic state of dysfunction.  

Four hundred years of silence pass between Acts I and II and the scene in today’s Bible verses breaks that silence. An angel of God comes to this virgin woman and tells her she will have a child – and not just any child. She will give birth to the Anointed One of God, the Messiah, the Christ. This is the hero foreshadowed through all of Act I, the ultimate and permanent restorer of humanity’s relationship with its Creator.  

You know the saying, “if something seems too good to be true, it probably is”? After 400 years of silence – not a single prophecy, no signs, no wonders, no indication of any kinds that God’s Anointed One is still coming – to hear the restoration of the world is less than a year away HAD to seem too good to be true.  

Add to that – he is coming through YOU! Mary must have been completely floored. She’s not just favored. She is chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. What in the world would merit such an honor? Remember, God’s favor is a gift. He knows he can trust Mary with this historical, eternity-shaping responsibility.  

REFLECT 
We spent most of November talking about God’s higher calling – how he does mighty things through seemingly small means. Mary, a very young woman from a nothing little town called Nazareth, is as seemingly small as they come. Yet, God used her to carry, deliver, and raise Jesus Christ. Much of what he valued, how he saw people, and the way he worked was likely instilled in him through his upbringing. Mary was a major player in the life of Jesus.  

Can you identify with Mary? In what ways have you experienced God’s higher calling on your life? In what ways has he brought you further or done more in or through you than you thought possible? 

PRAY
Lord, you know what you are doing. You chose Mary to be Jesus’ mother because you knew how she would shape him. You have also put people in my life who have positively shaped me. Thank you. I am grateful for the “Marys” in my life. Would you make me a “Mary” for someone, or show me where you have already started that good work. Thank you.
Amen.