I was reading through Christmas story recently and I realized that my favorite part of the story is Mary’s response to the news that she was going to have a baby—even though she was a virgin!
It’s caused me to think about how I respond when God wants to work through me in a way that might seem unacceptable culturally. Let me give you an example of God using a person like that.
My friend, Brenda, recently shared with me about a young man who was invited to step out of the business world and become the Missions Pastor at a local church here in Bloomington. He and his wife were really praying about this because he was positioned to climb the corporate ladder where he was employed. Yet, his heart was so mission-focused and he wanted to do something with that, as well.
As he and his wife prayed, they asked God for clear direction. Several days later they were traveling on a tollway in another state. There were four people in the car and he was sitting in the back seat behind the driver. The driver pulled up to a toll booth to pay the toll. After he paid the toll, the woman in the toll booth looked at the back passenger window and asked him to roll the window down. They were, of course, confused by this request so she asked again, “roll that window down, I need to tell you something.” Finally, they rolled down the back window and she looked right at this young man and said, “You need to do what God’s telling you to do.”
And that was it.
There were other cars behind them and they had to pull through the toll station. Everyone in the car was floored. “What just happened?” “How could that woman have known?” And then finally, “I think we have our answer.”
I got chills when I heard that story. God works in mysterious ways. But what if I’m part of the “mysterious way?” What if God asked me to deliver a message like that to a complete stranger? Would I do that?
That’s why Mary’s response challenges me and makes me think. That’s why it’s my favorite part of the Christmas story.
What about you? What is your favorite part of the Christmas story? You can read through it online here and here if you’d like to click through, read it, and think about it for a few minutes.
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I can’t wait to hear about your favorite part of the Christmas story!
I love listening to the Christmas story through the eyes of my 3 year old. Though his interpretation may not be completely accurate (ex. that Gabraham came to visit Mary!) he knows that Jesus came as a little baby to die on the cross for our sins and I think that's great! [email protected]
I love the fact that God could have choosen to have Baby Jesus born in the best of circumstance but yet he choose to have him born after a long journey in a stable with animals all around. Not the environment a mom wants her newborn in. However, this shows that Jesus' life on Earth had a humble start and continued that way to show that He truly became just like man.
I like the part where it says Mary pondered everything in her heart. I can just feel a touch of what she was feeling at that moment as a mother.
I love just thinking about that glorious night when Jesus was born…..it gives me goosebumps!
I like the part where the angels come to the shepherds to announce Christ's birth. A group of people not recognized, God chose to come to them first!
Deb P.
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My favorite part is when the angel says: "Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.
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My favorite part of the Christmas story is when the angels appeared to the shepherds and they dropped everything and went to worship Him. I grew up on a dairy farm and now am married to a dairy farmer, so the fact that some of the first people to hear the news were the farmers of that day always makes me remember that God sees me and my family during our long hours of working – even though sometimes we feel unappreciated by the world around us. And, the angels singing "Glory to God in the Highest" is something that gives me goosebumps as I imagine it. I know how quiet and serene it can be out in the fields with the animals and it makes me think what an awesome experience that must have been for those humble shepherds!!
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My favorite part is actually part of Epiphany. I love that the wise men came to visit and went back a different way to keep King Herod from killing Jesus. I like that part because it reminds me about how God plans things so far in advance and makes sure that everything is taken care of. He loves me so much that he takes care of my life, too.
I love it all! It's hard to pick out just one part. But I do have to say that I'm amazed at how obedient Mary and Joseph are to the Lord even in the midst of the unknown and possible controversy! Joseph's response is a testimoy to all the men out there that God can speak to and use women as well, right?!?!?
Deb
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I am amazed at the trust and faith demonstrated in Mary's response. I was especially reminded of the faith it must have taken after watching "The Nativity" last night portraying the stigma she received from her community. What a beautiful portrayal of the birth of our Savior!
~Suzanne ([email protected])
I wish I could be like Mary – obedient from the start. I'm more often like Joseph, needing a more direct sign to sway me from my own path. Their obedience is my favorite part of the Christmas Story, aside from that Baby Himself!
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This year the part that is jumping out at me is that Mary "pondered these things in her heart." I wonder what she was thinking? Part of it might have been promises fulfilled and the hope of promises yet to be. This year I can see God's faithfulness too and I'm pondering that.
ehough(at)windstream(dot)net
I love that the shepherds heard the "Good News of Great Joy," went to worship the Child, and then told others. What a great reminder: the Good News is meant to be shared!
jessicafeuser at hotmail dot com