Mini series - The Cast of Christmas - Day 1 Mary

I'm so glad you stopped by!

Today is the first day of my mini series, "The Cast of Christmas". I figured since we're only 5 days away from Christmas, I would spend this week getting to know the people (cast) involved in the Christmas story. God picked each and every person for a reason to be a part of this spectacular event. I believe we can learn something from each person. So get a cup of hot chocolate, sit back and join me on this mini series of getting to know the cast of Christmas.

 

 

Imagine with me for a moment...you're a young teenage girl, probably 14 or 15, maybe younger (guys, try and pretend you're a girl, I know it may be hard ;). You're going through puberty. Zits on your face and roller coaster emotions. You live a pretty ordinary, hard working life of cleaning, cooking, working around the house, drawing water and more. Then one day, you are visited by someone you've never seen before. Someone very unique. An angel.

 

The angel tells her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you" (Luke 1:28). You don't really understand who this person is and why the extravagant salutation (Luke 1:29 paraphrase).

 I mean it wasn't an ordinary happening for an angel to visit you.

 The angel continued to say, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end" (Luke 1:30-33).

 

Woa. Talk about a tad bit overwhelming. Plus, there's a problem. You're a virgin. There has to be some mistake. So you speak up..."How can this be, since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34).

Good question.

The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible for God" (Luke 1:35-37).

 

You think, "Hmm good answer, I can't argue with that" and reply with a firm, "Behold the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word" and the angel left (Luke 1:38).

 

Okay, imagination time is over now. I would think that must have been overwhelming for young Mary, but then again, maybe not. She wasn't married. She found out she would be pregnant with the Son of God. That had to be a little bit frightening, at least I would be.

 

Even though it may have been scary for her and she was afraid of what her parents might think, as well as her community, she confidently obeyed (verse 38). She didn't say, "Can I think about it and get back to you?" or "No, I don't want to carry the Son of God, that's a lot of pressure!" She said, "May it be done to me according to your word." Wow. Props to Mary. Not only that, she believed in the fulfillment of the Lord (Luke 1:45), she praised God (Luke 1:46-47), and she recognized the magnitude of what was coming through the child she was carrying (Luke 1:48-55).

 

So what can we learn from Mary?

I don't know for sure, but I'm thinking that in the beginning she didn't completely understand how everything was going to work out. Also, despite the pressure she may have felt from the responsibility of bearing the Son of God, she still said yes. She trusted in God's promises and thanked Him for what He's done and what He will do. How does this translate to us? Well, when God tells us to do something, we should reply just like Mary did, even though we may be overwhelmed or have questions. We should trust that if He starts something, He will bring it to completion, even if we are just an ordinary, teenage girl. He takes ordinary people and uses them for the extraordinary.

Philippians 1:6 says, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

 

Check out this song from Mary's perspective.

"Be Born in Me (Mary)" by Francesca Battistelli

 

 

 

If you're following along with the year long Bible reading plan, today's scripture is Ephesians 4-6.

 

Stop by tomorrow and learn more about the next cast member of the Christmas story!

Day 27 In Him we find...

 

There are people who don't like change, and there are people who do like change. I am the latter. I've always been really good with change. When I was a kid, I had no problem changing schools, extracirricular activities, or hairstyles. Change has never been a fear of mine. However, there is something that I would not want to change...Jesus.

 

Thank goodness, I don't have to worry about Jesus changing. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. People change. Our beliefs may change. Our attitudes may change. Our actions may change. It can be for the good or the bad. Let's face it, we, human beings, aren't exactly stable. We're pretty wishy-washy. We may like our job one day and hate it the next or we may love pizza one year and the next year hate it. Jesus, on the other hand, is the most stable person. He isn't wishy-washy at all. I'm so thankful that His love, faithfulness, and grace doesn't change like the style of my hair does.

 

He loves me the same yesterday, today, and forever.

His grace stays the same yesterday, today, and forever.

His mercy stays the same yesterday, today, and forever.

His strength stays the same yesterday, today, and forever.

This list continues.

 

In Him we find stability.

 

 

Today's scripture for read-your-Bible-in-a-year plan is Acts 18 & 19.

Day 23 In Him we find...

I'm so sorry I missed yesterday. I was super busy all day and didn't have a chance to stop by for the series. I wasn't busy with Black Friday shopping, but I was busy hanging out with some of my favorite people. First, my parents and I hung out and ate lunch with family members that we didn't see on Thanksgiving. Then, I hung out with my parents and ended the day off with a game night with some of my closest friends. Lots of fellowship and lots of good times.

 

I love my alone time, but I also love being with people. God wants us to be in relationships with others.These relationships are meant to grow and encourage each other with His love.  To motivate others to strengthen their faith is His desire. Obviously, being in the presence of others is a powerful thing. God is with us when we are alone, but He is also with us when we are in groups.

 

Jesus had His alone time, but He was also with people most of the time. In fact, His fellowship with His 12 disciples was meant to teach and grow them into disciples that would share the Gospel with others. These 12 disciples did everything together. They prayed, listened, taught, served, and ate together. Acts 2:42 says, "And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." They shared life together.

 

God wants us to be in fellowship with others. It pleases Him when we are focused on one thing- to bring Him glory. Through our troubles, we can uplift each other. Through our joys, we can celebrate together. We can pray and study scripture together. When we live in this way, we are in true fellowship with God. Philippians 2:1-2 says, "If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose."

 

In Him we find fellowship.

 

Be in fellowship with others...enjoy it...and use it for His glory.

 

If you're joining me through my year long journey of the Bible, you should be caught up until Acts 16. Use today and tomorrow to get caught up.