Christmas Study, Day 5: Blessed is She That Believed

Luke 1:1-25 

When speaking of the birth of Christ, we often forget to also speak of the birth of John, whose birth was not only miraculous, but also prophesied of many hundred years prior. 

The first of the Christmas visitations happens to Zacharias in the temple; the angel, Gabriel, appears and declares to him the fact of John’s oncoming birth to him and his wife, to which Zacharias responds incredulously because of his and Elisabeth’s advanced age. 

“How shall I know?” he asks. As a result, he is struck dumb by the angel, only to be relieved at the time of John receiving his name (a period of nine months, mind you). 

Six months later, the same angel appears to Mary to tell her that because she had found favor with God, she would conceive a son, who should be the Son of God. She is also incredulous, but with different results. 

“How should this be possible?” she asks, which Gabriel graciously explains. Upon learning all that was needed, Mary humbly accepts her new calling and all pertaining consequences, which she could scarcely comprehend at that time. 

It is worth our consideration that both Zacharias and Mary asked, “How?” But Zacharias was struck dumb, while Mary received angelic instruction. Why?

It is because Zacharias’ question was based in doubt: “How shall I know?” He wanted a sign. Mary, on the other hand, asked in faith: “How shall this be?” She accepts that it will be according to the angel’s words, but seeks further light and knowledge. 

In other words, Zacharias questioned, while Mary asked a question. 

When receiving revelation in our own lives, we must all consider the example of Mary. We must be willing to forsake what we think we already know in favor of learning from God. 

Zacharias had already determined a fact in his mind: my wife is barren. He couldn’t let go of that. He asked for more reassurance and paid for it. 

Sometimes the Lord asks us to do impossible things. The math doesn’t add up. They’ll never listen to me. We can’t make it work. I need this job. I’ll never get into that school. Nine o’clock is too early. I can’t live without this ONE sin. 

We need to let go of all of our pre-determined outcomes! We don’t know the end from the beginning. Our wives are not barren, we are not too old! With God, nothing shall be impossible. 

Mary embraced this in faith and was further enlightened. May we all receive the Lord’s instructions in faith this Christmas season. :) 

Merry Christmas!
Sincerely,
Taylor, a dead missionary