Category: ADVENT DEVOTIONAL

WE ARE FAVORED, DO NOT FEAR!

He makes her the most honored woman on earth, but she is to become intimately acquainted with the worst heartbreak known to humanity.

I have struggled with all types of fears, both real and imagined during recent years. I view my friends either expanding in trusting God or floundering in despair. In my own heart, often I wonder about God’s plans as I navigate through a world unrecognizable from ten years ago. What does God say to my heart during these times of turbulence? He points to Mary.

GOD FAVORS HER

She is only a simple teenage girl, brought up in a backwater town. So why Mary? God never provides any extensive explanation. The angel announces to Mary that she is chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. God “favors” this unwed girl to give birth to the Chosen One, the Savior of the world. All she knows is that God has chosen her. God “favors” her.

COMBINING FAVOR WITH HEARTBREAK

I always connect favor with honor: someone given front row seats, the keys to the city and a crown on their head. It is hard to combine the concept of favor with heartbreak.

FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY MIXED WITH JOY

In Luke 1 the angels twice calls Mary “favored by God”, blessed by God. He makes her the most honored woman on earth, but she is to become intimately acquainted with the worst heartbreak known to humanity. At the angel’s initial announcement, she feels fear and uncertainty mixed with joy. This expands and painfully stretches year by year. She sees her beloved Son grow up and do the unexpected, time after time. Her sinless Son lives in a broken world, attacked by the forces of hell.

THE GOD WHO REDEEMS ME AND EVER KEEPS ME

This favored woman daily needs the angel’s words to resonate in her heart: The God who redeems you and ever will keep you is near, do not fear. In these days of darkness, I also need this promise and hope. The God who redeems me and ever keeps me is near. Do not fear.

Humble virgin, arise and take heart you’ve been chosen to carry a son. Give no heed to the trembling inside for the wonder has only begun;

Do not fear, do not fear, the child you will hold is the Savior foretold drawing near. The God who redeems you and ever will keep you is near, do not fear!

BEHOLD THE GIFT!

Surely everyone deserved this. Anyone, except for me

My husband is known as a giver of great gifts and I am a regular beneficiary. One Christmas in particular, he gave me extravagant gifts. Each one was more lavish than the last. I felt so undeserving of his unabashed love and generosity for me. I began to do the math, to count the cost in my head. The sum was too costly! Why would he spend this much on me? Surely there were others more deserving, our grandkids, kids, or parents. Anyone but me.

THE GIFT I NEEDED

I am about as directionally challenged as they come. It is no shock that one of the best gifts was a GPS. I had recently received a promotion that required me to drive to different locations on a regular basis. Without it, I would be hopelessly lost. My husband knew I needed this gift. His face filled with joy as he gave it to me. I needed to receive it.

THE GIFT GOD KNOWS WE NEED

My husband’s love and gifts are just a dim reflection of God’s demonstrated love and extravagant gift. He knows we are desperately in need of a Savior, or we would be hopelessly lost for eternity. We all are undeserving. Still, God gave the best gift in sending His son, Jesus Christ, Divinity Incarnate. He came in our flesh, breathed our air, and died in our place. But that’s not the end. The tomb is empty! He rose again so that we can be with Him forever. This Christmas season, I invite you to behold this gift, a demonstration of a love beyond all comprehension. Understand that He loves you so much that there is no cost too high. Will your heart prepare Him room? 

Behold the King has come, divinity incarnate, creator of the world, breathing our air
Behold what light has come and the dark cannot contain it
The Savior of the world is finally here

Behold, the Father’s love beyond all comprehension
He gave His only Son to die in our place
Go and see that empty tomb. He’s not there, for He is risen
Every heart prepare Him room, Jesus Christ, the King of Heaven