3rd Week of Advent 2015

 She could hear the whispers as she carried the water jar through town, maybe not the exact words but definitely the whispers. Everywhere she looked, people quickly averted their gaze. If it wasn't so heart wrenching and lonely, Mary probably would have found their antics humorous. It had only been a few days since she had returned from Elizabeth’s, but the news that she was pregnant spread like wildfire like all gossip does in a small village. When she had left for her cousin’s home, Mary had only been a few weeks pregnant, a secret easy to keep. But now she was almost halfway through the pregnancy and her situation was blatantly obvious. Life the past few months had been wonderful. Elizabeth and Zechariah knew the truth and celebrated the coming Messiah with her, as she in turn celebrated with them and the birth of their son, John. Everyone there just saw a pregnant relative of Elizabeth's and assumed nothing sinister. It was a shock to come home after the months of peace. Her parents said they believed her, but the looks her parents shared around her spoke volumes on there own. And then there was Joseph. She had seen only his back as he avoided her these past few days. She had told Joseph about the angel’s visit before she left, but it seemed that he hadn’t believed her. Maybe he had thought that she was addled from long hours in the hot sun. Maybe he thought she was putting too much weight on an odd dream. Regardless, it was obvious that he now thought the worst, that she had been unfaithful and trying to cover it up.

Mary felt the not so gentle nudge of the life inside her. It served to break through the gloominess in her heart, reminding her of God’s power and providence. She was carrying the Messiah, the Son of God placed in her womb by the Creator Himself. Immediately her spirit lightened, and a smile parted her lips. God was finally fulfilling His promise; the kicks of the baby, the aches in her body, and the bouts of sickness were all glorious reminders that God’s Messiah was coming. Soon, everything would change just like the prophet Isaiah said they would,  

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” *  

Inexplicable joy bubbled up inside her. She may not be sure of anything else, but she did know that God would keep His promise; the proof lay inside her. As to everything else, including Joseph, she would just have to trust. She would trust in the One who had placed this wonderful child inside her.
 

It’s easy for us to find joy during Christmas. For an entire month, we are surrounded by twinkling lights, nostalgic decorations, uplifting services, intimate family gatherings, and so on. But it’s more important to let the joy of Christmas permeate our lives day to day, week by week, and all year long. This is not a call to leave your tree up year round, instead it is a call to find the true joy of Christmas. For many, Christmas is full of joy because of what is happening around them. The true joy of Christmas comes from inside. Mary received promises through the angel Gabriel, but the tiny life inside her was the proof of those promises. Promises have also been made to us as Christians, and the Holy Spirit dwelling within us is proof of those promises. 

Like an expectant mother, the Christian knows that every internal activity of the Holy Spirit points to a future in Heaven. Sometimes the spiritual process is wonderful, as the Holy Spirit nudges us and refreshes our heart. Sometimes it is not so wonderful, as the Holy Spirit corrects us, disciplines us, and refines us. But every action by the Holy Spirit, no matter how uncomfortable, is a receipt proving that we have a glorious future awaiting us which brings insurmountable joy while we wait. The joy that caused Mary to rejoice is the same joy that buoys the spirit of the Christian facing cancer. It’s the same joy that brings a look of contentment on the face of a homeless Christian. It’s the same joy that permeates the heart of the Christian martyr. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I pray you allow the Holy Spirit to flood your heart with joy this Christmas, regardless of circumstances. And for those who have not decided to follow Christ, I pray you hear His voice calling to you, beckoning you toward a relationship with God in Christ and a joyful future in Heaven.

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” -1 Peter 1:8-9

* Isaiah 9:6-7 
 (All Scripture taken from the New International Version)