It happened so unexpectedly, so unpredictably. With contrasting feelings and thoughts Mary was faced with a decision wrapped in a promise of prophetic fulfillment. She and many others like her in Nazareth had read and believed that one day the Messiah would be born through a virgin. But Mary alone had been chosen to be the mother of the Redeemer of humankind, God’s Son. Her soul leaped with excitement, while unanswered questions mixed with feelings of fear and inadequacy rushed into her mind. The price of sacrifice she had to offer could not be compared to the honor bestowed upon her by God, for she had found favor in His eyes. “Let it be to me according to your word…” were more than words Mary whispered out loud. It was a statement of confidence, trust, and faith placed in the God of the impossible and His promise, regardless of her unknown and untold future.
Jesus, our Promised Messiah, was conceived inside the womb of a virgin, and born outside of a normal human home and community. There was no place for Him except in a cold, filthy manger. God stood outside the door of humanity, until one woman willingly said “Yes!” and allowed Him to come into our broken, dark reality. God came to us through Christ. He lived with us and He died for us -- “…and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” (John 1:1) -- and as He restored the contact between God and us, by dying on the cross, He once again left the choice up to you and me.
Jesus was born into a city, yet He was crucified outside of a city; outside of the gates; outside of the community; outside of religion and human tradition. He stands outside so that everyone who looks upon Him and wants to accept Him is able to have an opportunity to willingly invite Him to enter in.
Mary carried a promise linked with the purpose of freedom in bringing God back into our human reality.
Each day during the upcoming 2021, we will have many choices to make. Above all else, don’t forget to answer the knock from the One who is waiting to come into your daily affairs for a purpose greater than your own agenda; for a purpose that brings humanity back to God through a simple answer, “Let it be to me, according to your word…”
ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US AT CHANGING A GENERATION WE WOULD LIKE TO WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
MAY GOD’S PRESENCE FILL YOUR HEART WITH PEACE AND JOY! THANK YOU FOR PARTNERING WITH US AND FOR HELPING US BRING JESUS AND HIS TANGIBLE LOVE TO MANY KIDS AND FAMILIES!