That Changes Things

Christmas is all about things becoming new…or being made new, transformed, and changed because of the story of Christmas.  And that started all the way back in the original story of Christmas for everyone involved.  Let's look into that story, into the beginning of the story, before the shepherds in the fields and the wise men get involved.

Luke 1:26-38

26 God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” 29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 

30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” 34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

What Makes Mary Favored?

1. God is with her.
2. God has a plan and purpose for her.
3. God shares His Word to clarify.
4. Mary says "yes" and follows God.

Mary was favored and blessed.  She got to raise the Son of God from birth to a man.  Why?  Because she said yes to God. Mary was favored!  But so are you!!! God is with you.  He has a plan and purpose for you.  And God has given you the details of how to live out your life.

What is it for you? What have you heard from God, but have said NO to Him in the past?

If you want a fresh start.  If you want your life to be new and better and even more blessed.  If you want to be even more favored than you already are. 

Give yourself a Christmas present.  Take a lesson from Mary.

Say yes to the next step that God has for you.  Start living what you know God is saying to you.