The angel came to [Mary] and said, “Greetings, favoured woman! The Lord is with you.”

Luke 1:28 (NMB)

 

The first Christmas is a story of transitions and obedience.

That is evident in the lives of Joseph and Mary, Zechariah and Elizabeth, Simeon and Anna, the shepherds in Bethlehem and the wise men from the east. Their lives were disrupted in some significant ways by the angelic visitations, dreams and astrological phenomena.

God uses transitions to bring us into alignment with His greater purpose. How we respond to what God is doing is critical for our growth and future. We, like Mary, must learn not to be afraid when we face disruptions in our lives. Rather, we must rest on God's grace and favour to sustain and guide us through whatever transition we are experiencing.

Obedience plays a huge part as we follow God into a fruitful future.

We will not only frustrate God's plan if we refuse to go and grow beyond present spiritual experience, but we will also become lost and confused. A successful transition requires a mind shift, shifting our inner voice from negative to positive. Consider Mary’s humble response: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38) Her obedience and willingness to say “yes” makes it possible for God to become one of us.

It was through the process of transition and obedience that Mary grew from a fearful young girl to a Spirit-filled woman who magnified God with her singing. We, like Mary, are to relinquish our rights for the sake of the gospel and become men and women of faith, courage and humility.

We must learn to embrace the tension of uncertainty and rest fully on God's faithfulness. This enables us to encounter the grace of God's favour, not only in normal circumstances, but also in the most impossible situations.