Some thoughts from Barbara Edmonson at Vision Ministries for whom we are filling Smartie tubes with 20p’s to help bring clean water to the people living in the slums of Kibera, Nairobi.
“Where does the story of Today begin – well let’s start with the seemingly impossible. The angel Gabriel, coming to visit a young unmarried girl and declaring to her that she is highly favoured and that she is about to be the mother to the Son of God!
Mary, this young girl, understandably, had a couple of questions but then humbles herself and declares to Gabriel, ‘’Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word’‘
That is just incredible (it seems so – well impossible, yet possible – all things with God are possible Matthew 19:26).
Then here He is, a baby – the weakest form of a human – helpless – unable to care for Himself. It is mind boggling that Jesus, the Son of God, would enter the world in this vulnerable form, totally reliant on the ones He came to save.
Born to a young girl in the humblest of dwellings, a stable. God’s plans – certainly not how we would have orchestrated the arrival of the King of kings, The Lord of lords.
The announcement of His advent burst forth from heaven itself, as an angel appeared, not to the world but to a simple group of shepherds just out doing their night shift. Joined in the proclamation of His entrance to the world by a heavenly host praising God – ‘’Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace goodwill towards men’’.
The shepherds raced to see The Child …………. And then ……….. became the first evangelists. ‘’When they had seen Him, they made widely known the word which was told them concerning this Child’’.(Luke 2:17)
Let’s just take our thoughts out of preparations for Christmas, away from the shops and present hunting and ‘ponder’ as Mary did when she was visited by Gabriel who foretold Jesus’ birth.
Let’s ‘ponder’ just what His arrival means to us Today ….. not just His arrival, but His death and resurrection.
He came to save those who were lost (even if we did not know we were lost). He brought, and continues to bring, hope and restoration, Today!
Mary in later years gave us some amazing timeless advice, ‘’Whatever He says to you, do it’’ Whatever He says to you cannot be more seemingly impossible than what happened to Mary, or the waiters at the wedding in Cana, yet sometimes it seems so. But we must remember, it is not our plans and purposes or ability that makes the impossible possible, but His.
Jesus bids us ‘’Come’’,’’ Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’’
Just take a moment, right now – just a moment – to ponder on Jesus and the amazing grace and mercy He has towards all mankind, including you and I.
Have a truly blessed December full of Love, Joy and Peace and Jesus.”
Love and blessings
Barbara x
Scripture readings: Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:1-20, Matthew 11:28
Vision Ministries Scottish Charity SC 035235
Scottish Charitable Independent Organisation
