Expect Holy Visitors This Christmas
Scripture Reading
Luke 1:26-38 (NRSVUE)
“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born[c] will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.”
Introductory Remarks:
A frequent occurrence in the Birth Narratives of Jesus is the appearance of visitors. The Angel Gabriel visits Mary and delivers a message that is personal to her and rather shocking, too.
Major Points of the Lesson:
- The Christmas Story is also your story. There is a Divine Visitor with a Message for you. Are you open to it? Will you be obedient to it? Will you expect it?
- The birth of Jesus of Nazareth more than 2000 years ago also symbolizes the birth of Christ born anew within your soul.
- The birth of Christ in the soul is not a one-time event but a repeatable occurrence. Christ is born repeatedly when we willingly prepare to receive and lovingly expect its presence in our lives.
Quote:
“So every person is a spiritual being. Every person is innately good. Every person is a potential Christ. Only a very few know this, and even a fewer number succeed in expressing any marked degree of perfection of the Christ indwelling. So certainly we all have a long way to go. Let’s [not] fool ourselves about this, but we have the goal which is believable and achievable. There’s that in you and me which is perfectible. More than this, the Christ demonstration is repeatable.”
Eric Butterworth
ASSIGNMENT:
In great expectation of your personal message this Christmas, set aside a time of day or night to give your full attention to the Holy Spirit’s Message for you. Capture your message. Believe in it. Embrace it. Let it repeat itself in YOU.