The Wonder of Christ's Coming

A friend shared yesterday from Luke 1 & 2 of the wonders of Christ's coming for the first time.  One of the wonders we all share as believers is how the Lord Jesus was conceived in the womb of a virgin named Mary.  This account is definitely marvelous.  And we all can just imagine what it was like for her to be visited by the angel declaring the message from God to her that she was chosen to bear the Christ child.

I love the part too where she visits Elizabeth whose conception of John, was also a divine intervention.  The baby John leaped in her womb when he heard Mary's voice.  Mary declared with her spirit a rejoicing and with her soul a magnifying of God!

We all know the rest of the story how Jesus Christ was born in a manger in a stable - no room for Him in the Inn.  And we all know what a stable would have been like!  But it was God's choice!

I've reflected many, many times on this account and how it relates to us today with you and me.  The wonders of Christ now!  How?

Our hearts were just like stables because of being born as part of Adam's race - the sin and death that reigned in us and reigns today over unregenerate men.  Yes, "stinky, smelly- not much at all to behold" - that's what we were!

We witnessed a miracle, when God chose for Christ to be born in our hearts (stables).  Why? Because we believed the message of the Gospel preached to us concerning His Son.  No, an angel did not deliver the message - just another vessel carrying the glorious message of the Lord, with all His authority!

Then this unregenerate heart was blessed with conception of Christ being born in our hearts - the incorruptible Seed of God.   And just like Mary with Christ growing in her womb to fullness, we are called to "grow in the grace and knowledge of the Son of God."  Later on the Scriptures declare "till we are filled with all the fullness of God!"

I'm so amazed at the similitude of this - but you can find in the Scriptures. Paul wrote of it:  "Christ in you, the hope of glory!"  God chose us - for His Son to come live inside our hearts – just like stables!  We were sinners and now that He's there - we're His Beloved Children!

His dwelling in our hearts does not make us God – only members of Him.  He alone is Life and Glory.  He pours out of us in the measure of all that He is:  fruitful and real as vessels of Him. 

Mary was not in control of the Son in her – the Son was growing in her, by God’s will and measure.  Yet Mary had to receive God’s Word with faith as spoken by Him.   Therefore we are not in control of the Lord growing within us, but we do receive God’s Word in faith and grow thereby!

When we magnify the Savior and rejoice in Him, knowing that it is not of ourselves this wonder took place, we cause a "leaping" of joy to take place in each other too, because we share in the same wonder!

"Heavenly Father, may we all look at the wonder of Your Son dwelling in us - that He alone is our hope of glory - nothing else.  Our soul does magnify the Lord - and our spirits do rejoice in You, God - our Savior!"

Merry Christmas,
Sue Gaither