Luke 1:34-35, 38, 46-49
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. 46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
Matthew 1:19, 24-25
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him (immediately in some translations) his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.
Mary and Joseph: the Mother and earthly father of Jesus. A divine assignment given. Not for the faint of heart. Imagine. Put yourself in their sandals. Just ordinary people, suddenly visited by angels and given the news that they would be the ones to bring into the world the long awaited and longed for King and SAVIOR of the world. Astounding!
What would your response have been?
“Who me?”
“You want me to do WHAT?”
“Ummmm, I am going crazy, I think I will just act like this NEVER happened.”
“No. Thank. You!”
OR
Would you, like Mary, praise God for His favor? Would you, like Joseph, IMMEDIATELY obey? Humility and immediate obedience are on display in these two. THIS is the reason, they were chosen! Yes, they had questions. Legitimate questions of “How?” “What do I do now?” But once the questions were divinely answered the willingness to be used and be submissive were instantaneous.
Maybe the best gift we can give the Savior for His birthday is this: submission and obedience. A willingness as Henry Blackaby says, to “see where God is working and join Him there.” When we hear the word “go,” may we go. When the still small voice brings to mind a friend, to quickly not only say a prayer but reach out a hand. When the Spirit comes to visit, may we like Mary and Joseph simply say, “Yes, Lord,” and never look back.
Present your gift of obedience in humbleness knowing anytime God calls you for a purpose it is DIVINE and will have eternal consequences: Your good, His Glory!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxd-J28bBbM
Lift Up Your Eyes by Danny Gokey
Father in Heaven,
Thank you for this precious gift given for all mankind. Lord, may we give You the gift of humility and obedience from this day forward as an offering in honor of this your birthday celebration. WE are forever grateful for salvation and unconditional love. Let it be so.
Treading in gratitude,
