Hidden Christmas | Mary Didn’t Know | Pastor Vanessa

READ:  Luke 1:26-38

Mary was a normal person, like you and like me. She was chosen by God because she found favor with Him, and she had a divine encounter that changed her life. Because she was a normal person like us, we can look at what she did and learn from her so we can grow in our own walk with God. Her story highlights some truths and how to respond to them:

TRUTH: When God speaks we don’t always get it

RESPONSE: Bring questions and doubts to God

When the angel of the Lord spoke to Mary she was disturbed and bothered by what he said. She didn’t understand, so she asked questions. Many well-meaning people will tell us to ignore our doubts/fears/questions and just have more faith, but Jesus tells us the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul and mind. Having faith involves our logic, so when we don’t understand God invites us to bring our questions to Him.

TRUTH: God is with us

RESPONSE: Live in wonder

The virgin birth was the fulfillment of a prophecy from Isaiah 7:14 “… Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” If we stop to think about what it means that the God of the universe entered time and space as a baby, grew up to die for our sins and then gave us eternal life by defeating death, our spiritual walk will not be the same. When we realize the truth, our hearts respond in wonder. 

TRUTH: A life of faith requires faith 

RESPONSE: Give God a full yes

When Mary agreed to God’s plan for her life, she didn’t know all that it would entail. Would people shame her for being pregnant before marriage? Would Joseph still marry her? Mary didn’t know and the angel didn’t tell her. But still she said yes to God’s plan, and because of her yes the world was forever changed. Sometimes when God speaks we don’t get any details, so we must learn to actually walk by faith. It can be costly at times, but when we step out in faith we can be sure that God will do miraculous things!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Who do you normally go to when you have questions or doubts about your faith? What stops you from going to God with them?
2. Does your spiritual life feel vibrant and alive or more flat and dead? What are some things you can do to start living in wonder?
3. What is something God is inviting you to do? What is stopping you from saying yes?
4. What are some of Mary’s characteristics that you admire from this passage? How can you grow in them?