“You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Luke 1:31-33 (NIV)
Gabriel told Mary all that she needed to know about the baby within her body. She could celebrate God’s plan and promise of salvation for the world, past, present and future. He announced the arrival of the Son of God whose name means Salvation, and whose Kingdom will reign forever.
All of this good news had to be a lot to absorb and to wrap her head around, yet Mary kept the words of Gabriel in her heart. Those words would sustain her later, when she witnessed her son being treated more as a sacrificed Lamb, than a King.
Just like Mary, God also gives us reasons to rejoice, and memories to treasure in our heart, for times later in our life, when things don’t unfold the way we thought they would.
We also look within our hearts, for God’s promises, our memories and the faith that sustains us when we are going through a trying time. In those difficult times, Jesus will arrive to us and bring us His peace, comfort and joy.
Christmas is a season to rejoice, in spite of all the troubles in this world.
His first arrival was that day in Bethlehem, but Jesus arrives to individuals everywhere in the world, in the midst of their trials, to anyone who calls upon Him.
The joy of God is greater than any sorrow, and the inner peace of God is more powerful than any external turmoil. The words of Gabriel remind us that whatever we are going through, Jesus will arrive in each of our personal lives and give us many reasons to rejoice.
Lord Jesus, we invite you into our lives today, and we welcome your arrival in the midst of every problem as you bring us your peace, comfort and joy. Amen