By: Rachel Hauck
Through the narrow scope of 2000 years, Mary, the mother of
Jesus, appears to be one lucky woman. Chosen by God to give birth to His son,
the Savior of the world? All right, Mary, way to go.
Jesus, appears to be one lucky woman. Chosen by God to give birth to His son,
the Savior of the world? All right, Mary, way to go.
“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with
you,” Gabriel said.
you,” Gabriel said.
How many of us would like a declaration like that? Highly
favored. The Lord is with you. But Mary was greatly troubled at his words and
wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
favored. The Lord is with you. But Mary was greatly troubled at his words and
wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
The angel told her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and
the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will
be called the Son of God. Mary’s seems confident and resolved when she
responds, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”
the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will
be called the Son of God. Mary’s seems confident and resolved when she
responds, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”
She’d just been told the Holy Spirit will come upon her,
that God’s power will overshadow her, that she’d become with child even though
she wasn’t married, and she said, “I’m the Lord’s servant. Let your words be
true.”
that God’s power will overshadow her, that she’d become with child even though
she wasn’t married, and she said, “I’m the Lord’s servant. Let your words be
true.”
I find this amazing! A young woman. Ancient Bethlehem. Unwed
mother. They stoned women for such things in her day. But Mary believed in God.
And submitted to His will. He gave her the Holy Spirit – the same Holy Spirit
given to us. If He gave her confidence, He will give us confidence. Even
though, like Mary, our situation seems impossible.
mother. They stoned women for such things in her day. But Mary believed in God.
And submitted to His will. He gave her the Holy Spirit – the same Holy Spirit
given to us. If He gave her confidence, He will give us confidence. Even
though, like Mary, our situation seems impossible.
Listen to Mary’s song later on in the first chapter of
Luke.
Luke.
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my
Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on
all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things
for me Holy is his name…”
Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on
all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things
for me Holy is his name…”
Conceiving a child out of wedlock, by Divine intervention.
Not a girl’s every day existence. Yet she had a Yes in her heart to God. She
rejoiced. She boldly said, “Generations will remember me!”
Not a girl’s every day existence. Yet she had a Yes in her heart to God. She
rejoiced. She boldly said, “Generations will remember me!”
How we struggle to trust God with our children. Our
finances. Our emotional well-being. We worry. We fret. And wonder why we have
no peace.
finances. Our emotional well-being. We worry. We fret. And wonder why we have
no peace.
Christmas is the season where words like joy, peace and love
are bantered around like Christmas candy. Let’s not take them as just words,
but as truth. Let’s be like Mary and embrace God’s favor on our lives. Boldly
declare “He’s done great things for me!”
are bantered around like Christmas candy. Let’s not take them as just words,
but as truth. Let’s be like Mary and embrace God’s favor on our lives. Boldly
declare “He’s done great things for me!”
Out of the grit of our own souls, we can
reach His heart, and feel Him reaching for ours. No matter
the pain of our past, present or future, God is there for us. He is able. Best
of all, He is willing. “My soul glorifies the Lord this Christmas!”
reach His heart, and feel Him reaching for ours. No matter
the pain of our past, present or future, God is there for us. He is able. Best
of all, He is willing. “My soul glorifies the Lord this Christmas!”
***
Rachel Hauck is an award winning, best
selling author who believes God has done great things for her. She lives in
Central Florida with her husband and ornery pets. Her next release is Love
Lifted Me with multi-platinum country artist Sara Evans, January 2012. Then in
April, look for The Wedding Dress. www.rachelhauck.com.
selling author who believes God has done great things for her. She lives in
Central Florida with her husband and ornery pets. Her next release is Love
Lifted Me with multi-platinum country artist Sara Evans, January 2012. Then in
April, look for The Wedding Dress. www.rachelhauck.com.
Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas!
Merry Christmas from all of us at Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoyed these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you missed a few posts, I hope you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog over the next few days. If you’d like to keep up with Pearl Girls and our new book project, Mother of Pearl, coming this spring, just click this link and sign up for our newsletter (lower left sidebar).
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