And blessed is she that believed:for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
Luke 1:45
The second week of Advent is about Faith and the Bethlehem Candle.
This week we look at the journey Mary and Joseph took in faith which began around nine months earlier than the trip to Bethlehem when Christ was born. Mary could have rejected the word of the angel, mocking or laughing it off much as Sarah did when she overheard the angles disguised as travelers revealing God’s plans to her husband, Abraham.
Joseph could have quietly divorced her, possibly believing she had lied about her miraculous conception, as he had planned despite the dream the Lord gave him. Any given day of crazy pregnancy hormones could have shaken Mary’s faith. Joseph could have had enough of the whispers from the community about his wife or even his own standards.
Why didn’t they? It would have been so easy.
I believe the answer is in what is known as the Magnificat – Luke 1:46-55
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
Mary had a personal knowledge of God. She understood, at least in part, His character and because of that she had faith that He would do all that He said He would.
Reflect On:
What areas do you need to trust God in?
Search:
Seek out scriptures that tells of God’s character or of the meaning of His name so that you might know Him better.
Pray:
For God to reveal Himself to you through the meanings of His name and character.
