Celebrating Christmas In Troubled Times

by Pastor Mark
December 25, 2024

 

Celebrating Christmas

It’s Christmas! Here’s wishing everyone a Blessed and Merry Christmas! We look forward to celebrating Christmas on this most wonderful day. Christ is born and we have every reason to celebrate.

Yet, we recognise that many are faced with different troubles in life. The world is faced with war, weakening economies, possible pandemics and more. On the personal front, we are faced with job uncertainties, illnesses, family difficulties and more. Can we still celebrate Christmas amidst such challenges? The answer is a resounding “Yes!” The story of Mary, the mother of the Lord Jesus, teaches us precious lessons in dealing with our troubles.

Greatly troubled (Luke 1:28–29)

  1. The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and declared that the Lord had shown favour to her.
  2. The Lord was with her and she would be blessed among women.
  3. These words greatly troubled Mary as she tried to consider and reason things by herself.

Explanation (Luke 1:30–33)

  1. Gabriel gave an explanation for Mary to understand.
  2. He revealed that Mary would conceive and bring forth a Son named Jesus.
  3. He would be called great and the Son of the Highest.
  4. The Lord Jesus would be given the throne of David and rule His kingdom forever.
  5. But Mary raised a question as to how this was possible for her to have a child when she was still a virgin.

Further explanation (Luke 1:35–37)

  1. The angel Gabriel revealed further that the Holy Spirit would be involved.
  2. The divine power of God would overshadow Mary and help her conceive.
  3. The Son of God, the Holy One would be born.
  4. Gabriel assured her that nothing is impossible with God.
  5. In response, Mary submitted and presented herself as the maidservant of the Lord.
  6. Through these explanations from the Lord, Mary was able to rise from her troubled state.

Experience (Luke 1:39–42)

  1. The knowledge gained was not just theoretical to Mary.
  2. She experienced the fulfilment of those promises as she was able to miraculously conceive.
  3. The Baby that she was carrying was according to what the angel Gabriel had said.
  4. Mary had discovered how true and real the words of the Lord were.

Greatly blessed (Luke 1:42–48)

Subsequently, Mary visited her relative Elizabeth, who was also pregnant with a child. When Elizabeth met Mary, she repeatedly used the same word “blessed” to describe her. As the angel Gabriel did, she declared that Mary was blessed among women. Mary was also blessed for the fruit of her womb and her belief in the fulfilment of the Lord’s Word. Elizabeth could see how blessed Mary was.

Though Mary did not understand it initially, she came to see it for herself. As a result, Mary was inspired to write a song to magnify the Lord and rejoice in Him with her soul. The Lord had specially regarded her lowly state and made her His maidservant. She was now able to speak of how all generations would call her “blessed”.

This Christmas, we may be greatly troubled by the circumstances of life. But the Word of the Lord helps explain His plans and purposes for us. As we experience the power of His Word in our lives, we can see how greatly blessed we are in Christ who came to give us life. Let us seek to give glory and exaltation to the Lord Jesus this Christmas.

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