Are you deep into your Christmas planning or maybe you like the thrill and crowds of the last-minute shopping? The first Christmas was not part of Mary’s plans. She already had plans but her plans were interrupted by the announcement of the angel Gabriel.
“…Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 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…” (Luke 1: 28-32a)
But Mary already had plans! She was pledged to be married to Joseph and this so called “favor” was not part of their plan. God’s favor was about to mess up Mary & Joseph’s life.
Are you willing to allow God’s favor to mess up your plans? For years, I’ve prayed for God’s favor on my own life and my family. We often think of favor as status or a blessing to our own lives but God’s favor does not set us up for status. Favor is for service and always involves blessing other people. This Christmas season, how can you specifically serve another with the favor God has placed on your life? It may require you lay down your own plans to serve others!
Copyright©2016, Gloria Stucky
“Jesus Manger Shows Birth Of Christ And Christianity” by Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net