Merry Christmas from WLCM
Around Christmas time, angels feature prominently. They adorn treetops and Christmas cards, and have starring roles in Christmas carols and plays. That’s because angels were God’s messengers to share the good news of Jesus’ birth to Mary, Joseph and the shepherds.
In a display of the importance of women, the angel Gabriel first appeared to a young woman called Mary. He told her that she was chosen to be the mother of Jesus – that is, she would give birth to the Son of God.
“Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus,” the angel said (Luke 1:30-31).
Mary had every reason to be afraid. She was unmarried but engaged to Joseph. To be pregnant out of wedlock would have been scandalous. But the angel assured Mary of God’s love for her and his good plans for her. Mary acknowledged this and was grateful for the blessing of being the mother of Jesus. She sang, “all generations will call me blessed” (Luke 1:48).
It is doubtful all her family and friends believed her story, but thankfully Joseph did, as an angel visited him, too. Even through all the challenges and difficult situations she would have faced from that moment on, Mary held onto the promises of God.
God also assures us that he is always working to bring good out of all that happens in our lives. Life is full of stress, anxiety, worries and struggles but God says he will never leave us or waver from his love for us. And while his love is for everyone, God waits for us to ask him to help us in our troubles.