Newsletter
CHRIST IN YOU
Can you imagine the surprise, if not shock, a teenaged Mary must have experienced upon the announcement that she, as a virgin, would conceive a child. And not just any child but the only begotten son of the living God.
“His kingdom will have no end,” the angel Gabriel told her. She must have sensed this was no ordinary visitor who had come to make this announcement. She concluded, “Behold, the bond slave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word.”
What thoughts must have flooded her mind as the angel departed? How could this be? Why me? How will I explain this to others?
My daughter, Jennifer, is now pregnant with their third child, a boy. I see not only how her body changes but how other things change as well. She is very aware of this extra passenger. She requires more rest and is careful to protect this baby inside her. She thinks continually of this new life and how it will affect her family’s lives, schedules and just the sheer excitement of a new future with another precious child.
What thoughts must Mary have harbored for those nine months. What must she have thought and felt as she held the baby Jesus in that stable?
From his book 3:16 The Numbers of Hope, Max Lucado gives us some insight:
“Wide awake is Mary. My, how young she looks! Her head rests on the soft leather of Joseph’s saddle. The pain has been eclipsed by wonder. She looks into the face of the baby. Her son. Her Lord. His Majesty. At this point in history, the human being who best understands who God is and what he is doing is a teenage girl in a smelly stable. She can’t take her eyes off Him. Mary knows she is holding God… He looks like anything but a king…Majesty in the midst of the mundane.”
On one hand we can hardly identify with the significance and wonder of this scene and yet on the other hand we must understand and identify with the fact that this same Christ is within us, “…the hope of glory!”
Mary was a teenager who only knew in part who this baby was and would come to understand in her lifetime Who He would become. She could never understand in her entire life all he would eventually come to mean to all people for all times.
But we do! We have the advantage of historical perspective, scriptural evidence and Holy Spirit revelation! This same Jesus lives in us and might we not also ask, how can this be? Why me? How will I explain this to others?
How can this be? The answer is found in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world (you and me) that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Why me? Because, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” II Peter 3:9.
How will I explain this to others? As St. Francis said, “Preach the gospel always, use words when necessary.” Have “the mind of Christ,” display the “fruits of the spirit” and “go!” Be active, show them, tell them and most of all love them! “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” John 3:3.
Surely Mary must have recounted the story of the angel, the stable celebration and all the stories of her son’s adventures and miracles to others throughout her lifetime. She must have always been so amazed, so proud and so grateful.
We often sing Amazing Grace but are we still truly amazed, proud and grateful for this marvelous thing God has done in us, “…which is Christ, in you, the hope of glory” Colossians 1:27.
Now on a more personal note: If you’ve followed our ministry you know my wife has dealt with cancer off and on for the last twenty-one years. Just recently a biopsy revealed some more active cancer cells. This, of course, was a difficult piece of news to hear yet as always, God has been so faithful to minister to us in every way necessary. Linda had a lymph node removed and will probably undergo some radiation treatments. Additional scans have indicated no cancer elsewhere in her body for which we are extremely thankful. Please remember us in your prayers during this time. We’ve been here before and God has always seen us through – Praise His Holy Name!
Yours in Christ,
Dallas Holm