Finding Christmas Courage
I love to read and listen to audiobooks, and one of my favorite authors is Karen Kingsbury.
Not only are her novels compelling and entertaining, but they are all based on scripture and Biblical truths.
Her writing always leaves me with a sense of peace and gratitude towards our Lord and Savior, and I always tend to learn something new about God and His word.
While reading Kingsbury’s novel, “Truly, Madly, Deeply,” I was given a whole new perspective on a Bible story that all of us know so well…the Christmas Story.
We often read the account of Jesus’ miraculous conception and birth with a sense of hope, joy, and peace.
Christmas lights blurred in the background with Mary, baby Jesus, and Joseph.
In the novel, however, I was challenged to look at it from Mary’s point of view….one of fear and uncertainty but also of faith and obedience.
In Luke 1, an angel named Gabriel appears to Mary and presents a shocking proclamation.
“And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name 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 father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’”
(Luke 1:30-33, ESV)
At this time, Mary was betrothed to Joseph and was tied to this man by promises of faithfulness. She was also a virgin (Luke 1:27).
Because of these circumstances, news that she would soon be suddenly pregnant, with the Son of God no less, was probably troubling.
What would others think about her seemingly suspicious conception?
Would she be able to handle such a high honor and responsibility?
How do you react when you are faced with fear and uncertainty?
Do you panic?
Do you run and hide?
Do you react with anger?
For me, at times, it is all of the above!
There is no doubt this was a very scary situation for Mary.
In her shoes, many of us probably would have resisted or tried to run as far away from the situation as we could.
Instead, however, Mary reacted with immense trust and faith in the Lord. This is a great example for us to follow when we are frightened as well.
Fall trees blurred in the background with a Bible centered on a rock in the front.
“And Mary said, ‘I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’”
(Luke 1:38, ESV)
Mary’s faith was strong and she knew her ultimate purpose on this earth…to serve and glorify God.
She trusted that, if God had called her to this, then He would prepare, protect, and equip her for whatever laid ahead. Because, as the angel, Gabriel said in Luke 1:37, “Nothing will be impossible with God.”
It is true that the story of our Savior’s entrance into the earth can bring us so much joy, hope, and peace.
From the perspective of Mary, however, it can also bring us courage in the face of fear.
When you feel frightened, remember that our God is the God of miracles, all-powerful, and is the same God who walked with Mary through this uncertain season, and He is the same God who is walking with you today.
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