December 24, 2023

BEAUTY IN THE BROKEN: MARY

December 24, 2023

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

 

Christmas! The day that is traditionally called the “most magical time of the year!” Without a doubt, for some people it is: those who have no money worries and their families are happy; those whose families strive to work and communicate to hold their family unit together, always enjoying a special time of sweet fellowship with each other; those who use the season of Christmas to bring joy and happiness to other people through gifts that meet needs; and we could list many more. But for others, it is a reminder of a family that once was; a home that once held gladness that does not exist anymore—and on and on. Nor was Christmas meant to be celebrated by turning our children into materialistic narcissists. Christmas is Jesus—one-third of the Godhead in Heaven, taking on flesh, coming to the earth to live among us with one purpose: to go to the Cross, bearing the punishment for the sins of mankind, so that anyone who believes in Him might be saved for eternal life. The gospel story brings joy to the heart of any believer who celebrates Jesus Christ as God’s reason for the season.

Focal Passage: Luke 1:46-55.

Favor in our fear

  • Read Luke 1:46b-48a. Have you ever considered the probable age of Mary when the angel came to tell her she was going to bear the Messiah? What type of girl do you think she must have been in order for God to have chosen her to be the Mother of His Son?
  • What are some of the thoughts that Satan probably bombarded her with in the days following the announcement? Did Satan know that Jesus was going to come to earth? What would he have done to keep this from happening?
  • Before her story became known, where did Mary go? Do you think she would have told her parents prior to leaving for Elizabeth’s? How did Elizabeth greet her? What was Mary’s response? Someone read the “Magnificat” (“Mary’s Song”) in Luke 1:46-55. Did she show any fear or distrust of God for what she would be enduring over her life?
  • Do you recall how long she stayed with her aunt? Would she have been showing signs of being pregnant when she returned to Nazareth? What were some of the remarks she would have had to endure?
  • Read Matt. 1:18-25. Was Joseph a man who would be able to raise the Son of God with integrity? How do you know that?

Strength in our weakness:

  • Read Luke 1:49-50. Who was Mary looking to for her daily strength as she walked day after day on a path no one had ever—or would ever—walk? Read 2 Cor. 12:9. Where should we all look when our strength is small?
  • Read Phil. 4:13. Although Paul was speaking of his own needs, how can this promise be for us also, when we need God’s strength to empower us as we suffer trials?
  • Why did Mary need God to walk with her every moment?

Protection from the proud:

  • Read vv. 51-52. Why could Mary have feared the religious leaders? What are some of the verses you know that tell us that God is opposed to the proud? How would pride have affected Mary? Read Prov. 11:2, 16:5, 16:18, and Jam. 4:6. God does not tolerate pride. How can we get it out of our lives?
  • In Mary’s Song, how did she see herself as being a person of humility? Ladies, if God had asked you to carry His Son in your womb, how would you have responded?

Provision in our pain:

  • Read verse 53 and Matt. 5:10-12. Why do these passages all point to the provision that God supplies when we are treated badly because of our faith in God? There had to have been times when Mary felt pain for the treatment from others. Who does she remind you of who sought God’s solace when surrounded by enemies? Read Psa. 5:8, 18:3.
  • How do people today usually seek to alleviate their pain, without going to God?
  • What are some random verses you know that sustains you through trials or pain? Do you think to go to God first?

 

Close:

Have you ever meditated on the pointing fingers that Mary must have endured when she returned to Nazareth from Elizabeth’s three months later, and people realized she was pregnant? Her first priority would have been to tell Joseph. God was so good to Joseph, sending Gabriel to let him know the baby she was carrying was the Son of God, and that Joseph would be the father-figure in His life. The Pharisees could have put her to death, so perhaps Joseph’s intention to continue with the marriage took away their legal right to stone her.

Now, two thousand years later, Jesus is the same God, seated in heaven beside His Father, waiting for the time of the end, and the New Jerusalem. On earth, it is a time of turmoil, war, and unrest on every side. Christmas Day in Bethlehem this year is quiet, with no tourists, a closed manger, and no celebrations. Yesterday, it was quoted on the news, “there is no peace and no joy in Bethlehem.” But that is not as true as we might think. God is everywhere, indwelling all believers with the Holy Spirit, and giving the peace “that passes understanding” to them because they know, even if it means death to this life on earth, that we will be with Him in heaven. Joy that cannot be stolen away by Satan can be in our hearts even as our bodies and minds may endure terrible abuse. Don’t let Satan steal your joy that Jesus is alive and will soon return for His children. Evil is not going to triumph, although it might endure for a season; hate may “mock the song of peace on earth, goodwill to man. Then rang the bells more loud and deep, God is NOT dead, nor doth He sleep! The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men!” *

 

By Sandy Day

December 25, 2023

 

*Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”

/by