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“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 1:38). December, 2003 Dear Friend, Greetings! Trusting that all is well with you and your loved ones. We are all fine, and rejoicing in this wonderful Christmas season. Our Hope Connection Helpline is hooked up with the television program, “Family & Marriage Today,” with Pastor Jimmy Evans and his wife Karen. This is such a tremendous blessing! This program is aired on Cable throughout the country many times during the day, seven days a week. When people dial the number shown on the television screen, they reach us! They are calling from all over, wanting healing in their marriage and family relationships, and God is moving mightily! Glory! What a privilege it is to be a part of a tremendous move of God upon families! During the Christmas season, our thoughts turn toward family and loved ones, as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When we think of His birth, and the family He was born into, we can see that there is an awe, or wonderment surrounding Mary. The fact that she was specially chosen to carry Jesus in her womb and give birth to Him, transcends all understanding as she, herself, did not understand the full magnitude of what was happening to her. When the angel told her that she would conceive in her womb, and bear a Son, she asked “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” (Vs. 34). The angel explained that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her, and that the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. (Vs. 35). The angel goes on to tell her about Elizabeth who has conceived a son in her old age. (Vs. 36). The next sentence the angel says summarizes everything that was told to her, “For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Vs. 37). Mary’s response then changed the whole course of history for mankind, when she said, “Behold the handmaiden of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Vs. 38). Glory! God can do anything! Why was Mary chosen to be the mother of Jesus? Was there something special about her? Yes, I believe there was. She was a young girl who loved God with all her heart, who was totally 100 % sold out to Him. She was afraid when the angel came to her, yet in her fear, she was a willing vessel. She did not understand all that the angel told her, yet she said “Yes.” She totally trusted that God would do what He said He would do, and even though her future was uncertain in her mind, she stepped out in faith believing God for His will in her life. Could we just take a moment to imagine what thoughts must have ran through her head after that angelic visit? Whoa! Here she is, a young unmarried girl, engaged to be married, and now wondering how she is going to explain this heavenly pregnancy to Joseph! She had to be excited, happy, frightened, and filled with awe that God would do this! After seeing her cousin Elizabeth, who bore witness to the baby in her womb, Mary’s song magnified the Lord as she rejoiced in God her Savior! God, of course, took care of the rest, and Joseph understood the magnitude of this pregnancy and event. What joy to behold! God Himself was coming to earth! God knew that Mary would be a willing vessel, and that was what He was looking for. She would not have an easy life, as was prophesied by Simeon. (Luke 2:35). She would endure mental and emotional suffering as she watched Jesus grow up and be rejected by His own people. She would then suffer the agony of seeing Him tortured and crucified on the Cross of Calvary. Through all this, she was obedient to God. She remained steadfast with Him all the way to the Cross rather than to protect herself. (John 19:25). She obediently joined Jesus’ disciples in the Upper Room as He commanded for the coming of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:14). She is a model for all generations for her advice at the wedding of Cana, when she told the servants “Whatever He (Jesus) says to you, do it.” (John 2:5). We can learn so much from Mary. How many times have we been prompted by God to do or say something, and instead of saying “Yes, Lord!” we let it pass by thinking “it is not time,” or “I am not prepared,” or “not qualified.” We think of all these excuses, and meanwhile, if God trusts us enough to ask us to do it, why isn’t that good enough for us? God knows you and me better than we know ourselves. After all, He did create us! So why would we think that we are not equipped to do what He asks us to do? That is a lie of the enemy my friend! The enemy would love for us not to fulfill our purpose here on earth, but we have One Greater than any obstacle, or any thing that tries to stop us, Who is on our side, and cheering us on towards victory! God has equipped us for greater purposes than we could ever think of or imagine! The question is, are we willing? How willing are we to take the risks and say “Yes Lord?” Are we willing to take that risk of rejection or embarrassment to do the things He calls us to do? Mary faced the danger not just of public humiliation, and embarrassment, but as a young unmarried Jewish girl, she risked being put away, or stoned for becoming pregnant! Yet she said “Yes!” and trusted God. When God prompts us to witness to someone, to visit the sick, to help widows and orphans, to step out of our comfort zone and do something for someone, what will our response be? Let us think of Mary, and remember how her “Yes” changed the course of history, bringing forth a Son Who lived and died for us, and is still living for us, interceding on our behalf, cheering us on, so that we can fulfill our destiny, and live with Him forever. Glory! Wishing you a very Blessed Christmas, and a Happy, Peaceful, and Healthy New Year. Rev. Barbara Anne Yovino |