Glenkirk's new minister, Jim Miller, is preaching a series on hope for the Christmas Season. I wanted to share some thoughts from my notes on his sermon two weeks ago because what Pastor Jim emphasized about the hope of Christmas has really stayed on my heart these past weeks.
The Old Testament ends with a cliff hangar. The Jewish people are waiting for the Messiah, and prophecy tells them that he needs to be a descendant from the line of David, the greatest king in history. The New Testament starts with genealogy that closes in on a baby born in a manger in Bethlehem. The writer Matthew wanted to present clear evidence that Jesus is the Messiah, the hope of the Jewish people.
When we read about Mary and Joseph being approached by the Angel Gabriel, it is good to remember that this angel is not one of those sweet looking little cherubs on the front of our Christmas cards. Gabriel is very powerful, and not someone to take lightly. So imagine him appearing before you and telling you that God wants you to do something totally out of your comfort zone.
Mary was young and must have had her own hopes and dreams for her future. She was betrothed to a nice man, and looking forward to a future of predictability and routine. When Gabriel tells her what God has planned, Mary has to let go of her hopes and take a risk that God would bring about a new hope. The hope that she held onto was the possibility that God would do something bigger in her life. Mary humbly tells Gabriel "I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said." That took great character and faith!
As I go into the Christmas Season, I am most thankful that the same hope offered thousands of years ago is offered to me today. I am holding on to the possibility that God will do something bigger than I ever imagined, and His timing is perfect. I am certain that there are many people around me who have deep struggles and are looking for hope. That hope has come in the form of a baby, who grew to be a man who died on the cross and rose again so that we can have a relationship with God free of sin. I am also thankful that Jesus opened up the doors so that not only the Jewish people (whom Jesus loved first), but all people, can have the promise of the Messiah.
Bring your hopes to the manger this season, and see what great things God can do in your life when you have faith.
Love,
Sandy
