Have you heard the awesome news?

Have you heard the awesome news?

Patricia Ann, Originally posted on Monday, November 28, 2011

As we approach the Christmas season once again, let us remember.
Have you heard the awesome news? 
 
A child is going to be born to a virgin and He is going to be the Messiah, the Savior of the world!
As unbelievers scoffed at the news, baby Jesus grew inside His mother, Mary.  
 
She was a virgin, chosen by Our Father in heaven, to fulfill the wonderful prophesy of bringing a miraculous new life

into the world.

But what did it mean?
How could it be?
A virgin cannot have a baby.
Who is the father of Mary's child?
 
Imagine the words of the unbelievers - the ridicule, the scoffers.
There were many who doubted and refused to believe.

But through the virgin Mary, Our Father in Heaven was creating a prophesy that would continue through eternity. A baby was being formed in His great image - the true Son of God.  This child would grow into the man who would unselfishly take all of the burdens of the world for humanity. Sins of the past, present and future would be forgiven because of Jesus Christ's love for each of us.
 
Just think how special Mary must have felt, knowing God had chosen her for such an awesome task.  The glory of being the mother of Jesus, the Son of Her Father in Heaven. 
 
In the beginning I am sure she wondered "Why me?  Why, my Lord, did you choose me? " 
And Joseph had even a harder time with the news.  He was betrothed to Mary, but the child she was carrying was not his, but the child of God? 
Just think how hard that must have been for Joseph in the beginning.  He too must have wondered, " Why me?  Why,

my Lord, did you choose me?"
 
Joseph and Mary were humbled by God's decision for them to be the earthly parents of Jesus.

God's word shares with us the conversations the angel had with Mary and Joseph:
Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary 
  
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” She was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father, David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 
And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” 
Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word."

And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:26-38 (NKJV) 
 
Matthew 1:19-20
Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit."
 
Can you imagine being chosen by God for such an awesome life experience? 
 

Joseph and Mary knew there would be tough times ahead, but they walked in obedience to God. It was their calling by God to be earthly parents to the Savior of the world. 
 
And, oh how Mary loved and cared for Her son, Jesus. And Joseph was a wonderful father sharing with Jesus the skills of a carpenter. 
 
Joseph and Mary's calling by God to be the parents of the Savior of the world was undoubtedly the most honored calling that any human will ever be blessed with.
Let us remember to rejoice this Christmas season in the knowledge that the awesome birth of Jesus Christ is Our gift of life from Our father in Heaven.
 
My prayer for today is that, as God's children, we have open hearts and ears to hear Him calling us into His service.
 
As Mary and Joseph walked in obedience to God's calling, I pray that we also walk in obedience to His Holy word giving glory and praise to His Holiness not just during the Christmas season, but every day that we are blessed with life on this earth. 
 
May His glorious light shine though all of His children - lighting a path for the lost and sharing the glory of salvation to those who have yet to find His joy and peace in their life.
I wonder as God is still calling His people into service today - how many will hear Him. 
 
Do you hear Him calling your name?
 
Will you walk in obedience as Joseph and Mary did?
Will you ask, "Why, why Lord, did you choose me?"
 
Those who follow in the ways of the Lord will be truly blessed.
“I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:8, 9, 11.
 
Blessings to all in Jesus glorious name, Amen