Dear Believer in Christ,
Join me as we consider the Emotion of Christmas
Luke 2:35
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
A sword piercing the soul speaks to us of emotional impact!
Did you know that the Bible reveals to us that there were many emotions surrounding the story of the birth of Christ?
Let’s focus on Mary first of all. The Bible states that her soul was pierced, but that she was at the same time “blessed.”
Luke 1:28, 42
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
Mary was in a blessed state! To be in a blessed state is to be in a condition of divine favor.
Yes, you may think…maybe Mary was the object of divine favor…but not me.
Most of us don’t feel very special or blessed; but did you know that if you are a Christian, you are blessed (Galatians 3:9; Ephesians 1:3)?
But, how do we get to the place where we actually feel blessed and live in the light of it?
Think about this for a moment. How would you have felt if you were Mary when the angel came to her?
Mary first felt Confusion.
Luke 1:34
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
Zacharias also was confused at the heavenly communication (Luke 1:18).
Yes, sometimes the ways of God confuse us..
Also, sometimes the ways of God make us afraid! The birth of Christ brought this emotion as well!
Luke 1:30
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. See also Luke 2:9, 10.
Did you know that despite all of the bravado and machismo, many people live their lives in fear and confusion? They just cover it up with activity, pleasure, and routine.
I ask you again, how does one come to the place and state of blessing? Being blessed and feeling blessed?
The journey starts with belief. Listen to what Elizabeth said to Mary
Luke 1:45
45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
Did you see it? “Blessed is she that believed.”
God had said something to Mary, and she believed it! Has God said anything to you? (Read the Bible.) Do you believe it?
Read what the Angel said to Zacharias. Both Mary and Zacharias asked questions, but Zacharias’ question came from an unbelieving heart See Luke 1:19-20.
Because of his unbelief, Zacharias was now living in silence, while Mary and Elizabeth were praising the Lord! Why? because they believed God!
How were they able to do this? How were they able to reject the natural and receive the supernatural? How were they able to reject the darkness and receive the light? How were they able to reject what their eyes could see and receive what their heart could see?
HOW?
ONE WORD!
Submission
Ahhh. There it is. there is that hard word!
Luke 1:38
38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
She submitted to God’s Will, His Way, and His Word.
What did faith and submission bring to the Christmas story?
First it brought joy.
See Luke 1:47 (Mary), 41 (Elizabeth), 44 (John the Baptist); 2:10 (Angels and Shepherds).
Next, the joy of these people broke forth into praise. No more grumbling, belly-aching, or complaining! BUT Praise!
See Luke 1:46 (Mary); Luke 2;13 (Angels), 20 (Shepherds), 28 (Simeon), 38 (Anna)
When you look at life rightly, through biblical lenses, with submitted hearts full of faith....you will live with joy and praise
Not only did faith and submission bring joy and praise, but they also brought wonder (Luke 2:23).
Doubt and rebellion cause you to lose the wonder of life!
If you will believe in God and surrender to Him, your heart will be so full of joy and praise that you will have to do something about it! You will have to take action and tell others what great things God has done. See the action of Mary (Luke 1:39, 40), and the Shepherds (Luke 2:15-17)
Is your heart full of the emotion of Christmas?
Whom can you tell?