Merry Christmas

"Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished."
~Luke 1:45

This morning when I woke up, I just have that overwhelming urge to go back in God's Word to the ageless story. The story of Jesus and His birth. I just wanted to really reflect and embed in my heart the true meaning of Christmas.

I have been so bah...humbug this year. Just wanting to get Christmas over with. Looking around, it has been such a hard time for everyone this year. So many people and families have struggled throughout the year and now they are trying to just find enough to buy presents for their families. I have seen families be hit with medical conditions that are devastating and were not expected at all. I have seen such spiritual disarray very, very close to me. People are losing hope, they do not see an end to all the madness. I will have to include myself in this.

So, I just started digging in the gospels for the story of Jesus' birth. The REAL Story.... A story of not only true miracles but a story of hope that applies to us just as much today as in the ancient days of old. I truly love Luke and how he portrays such intricate details.

I came upon the story where the angel of the Lord came to Mary and told her that she would be having the Messiah. The baby that would save the world and give the gift of eternal life. Can you imagine how she must have felt? I just can see her on the verge of exploding. Could you imagine trying to hold that in? Well, she didn't. She got herself together and went straight to her cousin, Elizabeth's house. Now, Elizabeth had already been truly blessed by the Lord. She was barren, older and unable to have children. The Lord sent the same angel to her husband, Gabriel months before and told him that they would be having a child. A son, to be named John. The angel also stated that this child would be "filled with the Holy Spirit" on the spot. So, Elizabeth was perfect for Mary to go too. They shared a common story. The only difference, John was to pave the way for the Messiah, Jesus.

You hear no talks of jealousy in this story. They were just happy with what the Lord had chosen for their lives. So, Mary enters Elizabeth's and Elizabeth already knew. They were excited, I imagine they were both talking a mile a minute. I bet joy overflowed in that house that day. Answers to prayers, having God's presence all around them. It wasn't hard for them to believe that the God of heaven and earth had been right there among them.

Elizabeth looked straight at Mary and said... "Blessed is she who has believed what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished." This verse just stunned me this morning. Blessed means happy, fortunate, favored.... That leads me to my point this morning.

We, as women, will be blessed (happy, fortunate, favored) when we believe what the Lord says to us.

Believe this day, God sent His son to redeem us. Ladies, He sent Him to forgive and he sent the promise that we will be taken care of. He paid a price for us.... a dear price. We need to remember that this day. To remember His birth, but to also go back to the cross. We need to remember and believe. Believe that provision and favor are bestowed upon us because of who we are in Christ.

So this year, as we turn on the lights to the tree and we enjoy the fellowship with our friends and families.... remember the light that has been turned on for us. Believe.... be favored, happy and most of all fortunate....

Merry Christmas....