What awe the shepherds must have felt as they beheld the glory of the Lord. But let us recall another person who also stood in God’s glory. This other individual was Moses. He asked God, “Show me Your glory (Exodus 33).” God answered no one could see His face and live. But God passed by Moses and allowed him to see His back. Yet, for this to even happen, Moses needed to be hidden in the crevice of a rock with God’s hand covering him.
     Another subtle correlation exists when Moses witnesses the glory of God. Did you catch it? God made a covenant with the Israelites at the time Moses stood in His glory. Out of this covenant was birthed the 10 commandments —the law God established to govern the people of Israel. Similarly, on the night where the glory of the Lord was witnessed by shepherds, another covenant was born. Jesus Christ in the flesh! Are you getting chills? Two instances of God’s glory being seen by man were also two instances when God’s covenant, both old and new were birthed with God’s people. Moreover, this second covenant which will be sealed by the future blood shed of Jesus is the actual fulfillment of the one established with Moses. Wow! It makes me want to jump up and down when we see how God orchestrates every detail.
     The shepherds who witnessed this glorious sight, respond in three ways. First, they show eagerness to see what God has done. “Let’s go to Bethlehem to see this thing that has happened, which the Lord told us about.” In fact, they “hurried off.” Yet, for the shepherds to leave right away, it was highly inconvenient. They either had to mobilize an entire flock of sleeping sheep or abandon their charges. In either unidealistic scenario, they hastened with eagerness to seek the Messiah. Do we? Are we eager to do the things of the Lord even when it is hard? Or do we obey with a spirit of procrastination and reluctance.
     Once the shepherds saw baby Jesus, they “spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.” Friends, we are looking at the first evangelists for Jesus Christ. Even before the twelve apostles, the shepherds heard, saw, believed, and spread the word. They did not keep the Good News to themselves. The shepherds were so excited and filled with wonder, they were bursting to share. Are we?
     Finally, the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God. In other words, the shepherds did not cease praising God once they left Jesus’s presence. They took joy and wonder back into their everyday lives. We need to do the same. Our lives need to be so transformed by the majesty of the Lord, our praises abound in every aspect of life.
     Friends, do not allow the world, our country, or our life circumstances to steal your glory and praise of God. Instead, let us marvel at the miracle of God incarnate who is Savior and Lord. This is a Truth which is lasting and firm. It is a truth which inspires joy and praise. May we, as the people of God, glorify and praise God in all things and through all things. May we, as the people of God, let the light of joy burn bright as we share the marvelous wonders and works of the Lord.
 
Oh God, make me a servant whose heart is eager and hastens to do Your bidding. Use me, oh Lord, to spread Your Good News. Fill me with rejoicing that I might glorify Your Name in all the things I say and do. Amen.

​    During this time, it is also interesting to note that hired shepherds were a despised demographic. They were seen as dishonest, and often credited as thieves. To think that such Good News and such a glimpse of heaven was afforded first to reviled, dirty, lowly laborers, reminds me that such a glorious inheritance is for all men no matter their class or station. Moreover, I believe this revelation of heavenly hallelujahs to the common and disreputable, also points to Jesus’s future ministry. Jesus came not for the religious elite but for the sick and the lost. How fitting it is to reveal this unique glimpse into heaven and the Good News to the very archetype of whom Jesus would be ministering.
    The song which the multitude of angels sang also struck me anew. Up to now, I had always seen the latter part of this verse through the version often used at Christmas time, “Peace on earth, good will towards men.” What caught my eye is that this version’s translation is slightly different. “Peace on earth to those on whom His favor rests.” This verse tells us that we can expect more than just “good will” towards men but that God gives peace to those upon whom He rests His hand of favor. In other words, those on whom His favor rests will experience peace. What a promise!
     Yet how can we become those on whom His favor rests?” The answer is quite simple. We can pray for it. Remember, God’s favor is not something that can be earned but is something God gives freely through His grace. Have you ever thought to pray for God’s favor? David did. In Psalms 17:8, David prays, “keep me as the apple of Your eye (NIV).” If David prayed for such favor, so can we.
     Only in these recent years am I realizing just how much we leave on the table because we do not ask for it. Well, friends, no more leaving abundant life behind us because we do not ask for it. Let’s begin claiming our rich inheritance by going to the Lord in prayer and asking for His favor and peace. As we enjoy this Christmas season, let us begin our New Year by asking God for His beautiful gift of favor and blessings.
 
     Oh, heavenly Lord, as we celebrate the birth of Your Son and look towards the New Year, I ask You to bless me with Your favor. Incline Your ear and remember my plea. Rest Your favor upon me, oh God, that I might know the depth of Your great peace and experience the beautiful gift of Your love. Help me, oh God, be pleasing in Your sight and a fragrant aroma to You. Amen.

​     So, it should be with all of us when we have been set free in Christ and been a recipient of His underserved grace. Our hearts should likewise be overflowing with praise, gratitude, and thanksgiving to the Lord. For this reason, it is important for us to remember God’s daily acts of grace, provision, and love in our lives. Many times, we fall into the trap of looking for high mountain top experiences or big events. Such strivings may cause us to overlook the everyday wonders which God has for each of us. If we adopted an attitude of daily gratitude and appreciation for God’s ordinary blessings, would not praise and worship flow from our own mouths?
     How often do we take time to be silent and sit in the awe and wonder of God like Zachariah must have done during his nine months of vocal rest? How often do we soak in the presence of God and be still? During times of uncertainty and the unknown, it is vital we hide ourselves in Christ and make Him our refuge. When we do this, we are comforted and renewed by His Spirit and fortified by the power of His Word. After all, it is not our own strivings which restore our soul but God, Himself. He is the one who has come to redeem us. He is the one who has raised up a horn of salvation and who saves us from our enemies. He is the one who enables us to serve Him with holiness, righteousness, and without fear all the days of our lives. Praise God!

​     What joy these two women must have shared during Elizabeth’s final stages of pregnancy. Moreover, what comfort Mary must have felt in her own progressing pregnancy to be with a family member who was likewise pregnant due to miraculous means. Both Elizabeth and Mary share a supernatural experience which most would never understand. How kind of the Lord to give these two women to each other to share in such a special and miraculous time. After all, remember that Elizabeth was not able to fully share her pregnancy with Zachariah because he was rendered mute whereas Mary’s betrothed initially tried to divorce her. What comfort, delight, and blessing these two women must have derived from each other’s presence.
     But this observation begs a question. Do you have a close friend in the Lord who is like family and can share in your joys, trials, and hardships? Someone in whom you can confide and trust? Someone in whom you can grow together with in the Lord and experience God’s every day and big miracles? If you do not, I encourage you to ask God to place such a person in your path in which to share life. Ask God to align your relationships with a likeminded community of friends. May God be glorified from our close fellowship with other believers that we may encourage and lift one another up. And may we share with one another the wonderful, great deeds He has done!

     Praise God, Jesus has paid the penalties for our sin. Because of His death on the cross, our relationship with God is restored. We can now spend an eternity with God, praising His Name. We can sit at His feet and forever soak in His presence.
     Many of us like Mary find ourselves in situations beyond our control. We are pressed beyond our limits and faced with seemingly impossible circumstances. However, like Mary, we can make a choice. We can either cry out with disbelief and kick against the goads or we can press into to the Lord with praise.
     Mary who faced certain judgement for her premarital pregnancy albeit immaculate conception, chose praise and trust instead of unbelief and worry. Should we not also praise God in the good and the bad? Should we not praise God amidst fear and uncertainty? Like Mary and Zachariah, choose praise. Oh, people of God, sing to the Lord a new song. Lift up your voices and praise Him.

     My soul glorifies and rejoices in You, oh God, for You have watched over and been mindful of me. Thank You, oh God, for the mighty and great deeds You will do. Lift up the humble, oh God, and fill the hungry with good things as You extend Your mercy to me and to generations to follow. You have helped and sustained me through difficult trials and tribulations. Thank You, oh God. Remember me, oh God, and keep Your promises. Amen.

“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”    Luke 1:39-45, NIV
 
     After Mary’s encounter with Gabriel, Luke informs us how Mary readied herself to visit her cousin Elizabeth. In fact, the Scriptures tell us, she “hurried” to see her. No doubt, Mary was eager to see her cousin so the two of them could share their miraculous experiences and heavenly encounters together.

     What fills me with awe is when Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, the baby in her womb leaped for joy and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. It is like John the Baptist was celebrating in utero the Son of God now clothed in human flesh. Equally amazing is how this is a promise of God fulfilled. If you recall, Gabriel foretold how Zachariah’s son would be “filled with the Holy Spirit even before he was born.” Well, here it is. While still in his mother’s womb, John is filled with the Holy Spirit and jumping for joy.
     It also makes me smile to think how the first meeting between these two men, the one who will prepare the way and the one who is the way, was when they were both in their mother’s womb. I marvel that even in Christ’s tiniest form of development, He still commanded the praise and worship of all men at every stage of life. It also fills me with wonder to think it is likely these 2 men who met pre-birth will not meet again until 30 years later when Jesus begins his ministry. Since these two men were cousins, it is possible they interacted as youths; however, the Scriptures remain silent on this matter. No other meetings are mentioned between these two men other than their invitro encounter before Jesus’s baptism in the third chapter of this book. In fact, this first chapter ends with how John the Baptist “lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.”
     Notice also, Elizabeth’s blessing over Mary and upon the baby in her womb.  “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child that you will bear.” But Elizabeth continues. “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her.” We need to pause here. Are we missing out on the blessings of God because we do not believe He will fulfill His promises to us? Yes, this is a prayer which Elizabeth spoke over Mary, but friends, this is also a blessing we can claim for ourselves if we just believe. DO we believe that God is a God who keeps His promises?
     Dear friends, I can assure you that we can trust God to fulfill every promise He has for us and every promise we see contained in the pages of Scripture. Afterall, every promise of God has been fulfilled from before the beginning of Time whether on the grand scale of the universe or in the small details of our lives.
     Oh, brothers and sisters in Christ, do not miss out on the blessings of the Lord because of doubt and uncertainty. Cast down and bind all disbelief in whatever area of yoru life that is roaring like a lion. Leave it at the foot of the cross. Take up and loose belief in God’s fulfilled promises in our own lives. For we are blessed when we believe. Let each one of us lay claim to these blessings this very day.
 
Oh God, blessed are they who believe that You will fulfill Your promises to them. Father help my unbelief that I may know Your blessing. Help me lay at the foot of Your cross any area of doubt, disbelief, and worry. Fill me with Your strength and assurance that You will fulfill all things which You have promised. Give me faith to believe and strength to let go. Help me claim the blessing of Your promises this day. Amen.
​

​Meditations on Luke
“The angel answered, “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. 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.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.”     Luke 1:35-38, NIV
 
     The angel, Gabriel, just finished explaining to Mary how she would miraculously conceive. Now, he gives her the reason why. “So the holy one that is born will be called the Son of God.” If this did not make Mary’s head real, Gabriel continues.” Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her 6th month.”

​     Notice, Gabriel preferences his statement with “Even Elizabeth…” It’s almost like he is saying, “By the way, look how my power extends elsewhere. See, even Elizabeth is pregnant!” It is as if Gabriel is bolstering his credibility by sharing another miraculous event. How compassionate and kind it is to share the news about Elizabeth at such a time as this. For if any seeds of doubt existed in Mary, the miraculous news about her cousin would have helped assuage them. In fact, it may have encouraged Mary like it does us when we hear the praises of answered prayers from our friends. Such news of God’s work in Elizabeth’s life surely would have strengthened Mary’s trust and belief in God during this pivotal moment.
     With one final statement, Gabriel brings it all home. “For no word from God will ever fail.” In other words, what he has spoken will come to pass. Once more the character of God is showcased. “For He spoke, and it came to be. He commanded it stood firm.” (Psalm 33:9) When God speaks, it will happen. How immensely comforting this truth is. In a world where we are constantly disappointed, it is reassuring to know that when God says it will be, it will be. God’s Word never fails us and God, Himself, will never fail us. Praise the Lord for this truth!
     What is amazing to me is the faith, trust, belief, and submission which Mary exhibits. Her only response up to this point was one of wonderment and awe. Yet, her very next response was one of complete submission and acceptance. And even with the incomprehensible nature of what Gabriel just shared, Mary believes. We know this because later in verse 45, Elizabeth who is filled with the Holy Spirit issues forth a blessing and proclamation. “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her.” Despite the incredulity of it all, Mary believed and Mary trusted.
     I asked myself if I would have responded in the same way as Mary. In my earthly, fleshly self, I do not think I would have been as yielded as Mary. For where I would have said, “What do you mean? This is ludicrous,” Mary responds with, “I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled.”
     Mary is an example of what our response to God should be. What she is saying to the Lord is, “do what you want. I am your servant.” Mary is doing what we should do at all times. She is placing God as Master and Lord of our lives. She accurately views herself as being used by God in whatever manner He sees fit because we are the created and not the Creator. She comes from a posture of humility and does not elevate herself as we often do to false positions of grandeur. So often we attribute false greatness to ourselves instead of seeing ourselves as meek and lowly. Her humble submission is reflected in her final statement. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”
     Like Mary, our hearts equally need to be yielded to God when something hard and unexpected happens to us. We need this posture of humble acceptance. This idea that we are in control of our own lives is so dangerous. It is a lie. If we subscribe to this lie, it gives a faulty lens from which to view life. For when we believe we are in control, we believe we possess the power to be God in our own lives. Then, when we are thrown a curve ball, we either crumble or try to wrestle that thing into submission. When in reality it is us who need to wrestle sinful nature into submission and surrender ourselves to God’s Will.
     May God help us take on a posture of yielded trust and belief in Him, especially during difficult circumstances. For the God of miracles is our God who can intercede in our own lives. The God who can make the infertile bear children, the virgin to conceive, and who raises dead men back to life, is a God whom we can trust with our most difficult problems and deepest pains.
 
Prayer: Oh God, forgive me for my unbelief. Help me to trust You and have faith. Help me to yield and submit to all that You are doing in my life whether it is good, or it is bad. Mold me, oh God, after You and make me Your humble servant. Amen.

Meditations on Luke
​“Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 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.”

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
​
The angel answered, “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.”     Luke 1:29-35, NIV
 
     This meeting between Gabriel and Mary holds similarities to the one which occurred six months prior with Zachariah. Both instances involve the foretelling of an unlikely pregnancy with Gabriel as the messenger. Yet one of the primary differences begins in the greeting itself. Where with Zachariah, Gabriel immediately addressed the priest’s fear, with Mary the angel first issued a blessing. “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28)

     Mary is very troubled by Gabriel’s words. But once more God shows kindness by directly speaking to her uncertainties. “Do not be afraid,” Gabriel assures the virgin. Why not? Because she has found favor with God.
     To find favor in the eyes of God is a beautiful gift. As children of God, it is an encouragement to know God can bless us with favor. So often, I feel like I am falling flat on my face and making mistakes. But I am given hope when I see that, like Mary, we can walk uprightly and know the favor of God.
      Gabriel goes on to give Mary extraordinary news.

• She is told the child’s name.
• It is foretold of the child’s greatness.
• She will miraculously conceive.
• She is told the gender of the baby.

     One cannot help but notice the similarities between Mary’s and Zachariah’s news. But after these first points, the similarities end. Gabriel resumes.

• He will be called the Son of the Most High.
• The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David
• He will reign over Jacobs descendants forever
• His kingdom will never end.

     Wow, what incredible news! What I love about Mary, is that the second part of this dialogue does not seem to be what phased her the most. Rather, it was the simple practicality of the matter. How much I love our sister Mary for not being caught up with the glorious, triumphant details. For her first response to this heavenly host is, “How will this be since I am a virgin?” A very good question, indeed!
     But notice how Mary’s question is slightly different than Zachariah’s. Zachariah’s question is “How can I be sure of this?” (Luke 1:18) Whereas Mary asks, “How can this be since I am a virgin?” These are two very similar questions but if we look closely, we see the heart is different.  How?
     Mary’s question comes from one simple fact. She was chaste therefore how could she become pregnant. But Zachariah and Elizabeth although unable to conceive, were still able to partake in their marital rights thereby allowing the potential for pregnancy. Plus, as discussed in a previous post, Zachariah surely knew the story of Abraham and Sarah. His question of “How can I be sure?” really meant, “I don’t believe you.”
     But with Mary, her response although similar is vastly different. Rather than issuing a statement of disbelief disguised as a question, hers comes from a place of wonderment, amazement, awe, and even confusion. Can we blame her for wondering? Afterall, we all know that in order to conceive, physical intimacy must first occur between a man and a woman.
     Once more, we witness the grace and compassion of the Lord when Gabriel addresses this curiosity. The angel did not have to give an answer, but he chose to do so. This impacts me because so often I wonder why something might be happening, particularly during times of uncertainty and turmoil. I cry out to the Lord and ask, “Why is this happening? What is going on.” Yet so many times, no answer falls from the sky. I am left to lean on Proverbs 3:5-6 where I trust in the Lord and lean not on my own understanding. In other words, it means that I am left without answers but still must trust God with what I do not understand. However, rather than keep Mary wondering, God shows compassion and mercy by giving her an explanation through Gabriel. “The Holy Spirit will come on you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.”
     I must pause here. Is anyone else awed by what Gabriel just said? That the God, who has made all of creation to abide by certain natural laws, can supersede them and overwrite them. Natural law demands that for a woman to become pregnant, certain acts must first transpire. In this physical realm where we reside, this is an “absolute truth.” Yet, because God is God, the very One who created all of creation and the laws which govern it, He is able to work beyond these natural laws thereby allowing a virgin woman to become pregnant.
     Such absolute truths do not apply to God because He IS the Absolute of all authorities. These laws which He created, do not contain him, do not apply to Him, and do not govern Him. Why? Because He is the Creator God Himself. Do I hear a hallelujah?
     What an awesome truth to which we can cling. During this time of uncertainty and unprecedented “first’s,” we can rest in the knowledge that God is in full and complete control. We can find assurance in the truth that nothing can contain our God. Moreover, during a time when rules seem to infringe upon certain freedoms and liberties, we can find peace knowing that we are in the hands of our God who can overwrite even the natural laws which He created to govern us.
     Friends, cast your anxieties, fears, and worries at the feet of God. Our God can move mountains and cast them into the sea. Our God is greater, stronger, and more powerful than any person or thing. Our God is not created by human hands but He is God, and God alone. Praise the Lord and Amen!

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