Lynn Watson
Luke 1:36-37
Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
Reflection
God in his ultimate wisdom gave these verses to me as my Advent devotional assignment. Little did I know the impact they would have on my life. As we all prepare to celebrate the miracle of Jesus’ birth, we reflect on the promise God made to a virgin, a promise that she would give birth to the Son of God.
His promise and His glory have extra special meaning to our family this Christmas. Our daughter Dana and her husband Adam were coming home for the holidays. They have been living in London for the past year. Adam is an assistant pastor at his first church since graduation from seminary. We were especially excited to see them because they were having a baby. Like Elizabeth, Dana too thought she was barren. After 3 years of trying to get pregnant they had given up trying. Then God blessed them by knitting a baby in her womb. We all rejoiced with her when she told us, so thankful for His great blessing.
Nine days ago I got a phone call no parent wants to receive. Dana was in the process of loosing the baby and was being rushed to the hospital because she lost so much blood. I have to confess I struggled with God and His reasoning. As a result, it took me a while to sit down to write this devotional. As I tried to write, tears welled up from depths I could never imagine.
Then I read a Bible commentary about how God is all-powerful and how all things are subject to Him; how nothing is impossible for Him. God blessed Elizabeth, an elderly barren woman, with a child. I read about how an angel told Mary that God was blessing her, and all mankind, through her miraculous child. And with this knowledge Mary humbled herself and submitted to His will, as difficult as it must have been.
Over the past week, I called my daughter daily. I listened to her struggle through accepting the loss her first child. I also heard her praise God for His blessings that have occurred during this process. She talked about her faith in the Lord and His almighty wisdom and grace, for He knows the plans He has for them. I have come to realize that just as Mary, Elizabeth and Dana turned their faith into praise for the Lord’s blessing, so must I.
Prayer
Dear Lord, as we prepare to celebrate the Christmas season, let us turn our attention to your power and glory. Let us keep our focus on your promise to a virgin that she would give birth to your Son; a Son who came to earth to give us everlasting life. Amen.
Thank you for sharing your heart…