A Christmas Plan
Luke 1:35-38
Perry County Home Devotional
December 2001
Introduction
A striking Christmas card was once published with the title "If Christ Had Not Come". It was founded upon our Savior’s words "If I had not come." The card represented a pastor’s falling into a short sleep in his study on Christmas morning and dreaming of a world into which Jesus had never come.
In his dream he found himself looking through his home, but there were no little stockings in the chimney corner, no Christmas bells or wreaths of holly, and no Christ to comfort, gladden and save. He walked out to the street, but there was no church with its spire pointing to Heaven. He came back and sat down in his library, but every book about the Savior had disappeared.
The doorbell rang and a messenger asked the preacher to visit his poor, dying mother. He hastened with the weeping child, and as he reached the home he sat down and said, "I have something here that will comfort you." He opened his Bible to look for a familiar promise, but it ended with Malachi. There was no Gospel and no promise of hope and salvation, and he could only bow his head and weep with her in bitter despair.
Two days later he stood beside her coffin and conducted the funeral service. There was no message of consolation, no hope of heaven.
35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God." 38 "I am the Lord’s servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
Gabriel describes the plan
The Holy Spirit will descend from heaven and supernaturally conceive the child. Gabriel states that the power of God will overshadow her this means that God’s power will come upon her in a tangible way. Literally, God is going to create life within her womb.
Gabriel defines the purpose
The conception of the child will not be physical but rather supernatural. The power of God will create the child and this is completely beyond human understanding. The fact of this miracle birth will make Jesus the Son of God. Jesus is literally God in flesh and the miracle of all miracles.
Gabriel details the pronouncement
Gabriel tells Mary of the miracle that has already taken place for Elizabeth. She was no longer barren and was six months pregnant. This was a proof that Mary could see and receive peace about God’s plan. Nothing is impossible with God. God makes the impossible possible and we can literally affirm the fact that God has the power of unlimited possibility.
Mary responds to the message
Mary pledges her loyalty to God. She pledges that she will serve Him as she has in the past. This task will reveal her ability and spirit to serve God. Mary states her commitment and vows to follow God and do His will. Mary will follow God, be a part of His plan, no matter what the personal cost may be.
Conclusion
I. God is faithful to His people
God is faithful to His word and keeps all of the promises that He makes. God has never broken a promise yet and He never will. God will not fail His people. God will not leave His people. He has a special plan and purpose for those who will follow Him
II. God is always at work
God is always working on behalf of His people. God never rests from His work in history and never stops doing what is best for his people. God does not sleep or slumber but is always watching over you and is at work even now bringing His plan for His people into reality.
III. God makes the impossible possible
God has ultimate power and ultimate authority in all of creation. Nothing is beyond His ability to do. Impossible is not in His vocabulary. The same God who did the impossible through a virgin birth can still work in the impossible situations in your life. This Christmas season allow God to be the master of your life and allow Him to have control. He is the Master of possibilities.
