A Month in the Life

Every year at this time, we all remember the Christmas story from the Bible. Unfortunately, for me, many times it seems like another story. It's hard to grasp the reality of something that took place so long ago. Knowing that I felt this way, I took a deeper look at the birth of Christ. I wanted to learn something that would make this all important event come alive again.

I've always marveled at Mary. She was a young girl, nothing too important about her. Yet out of all the people in the world, God chose her to bring His Son into the world. What was it about Mary that made her stand out?

I often wonder the same thing about myself. Is there something inside of me that would stick out to God. I want God to look down on me and say, "Kimberly is well favored. Kimberly is special, so special that I can trust her with something great." But then I realize that God has already done that. He has filled me with His spirit. He has shown me great truths and revelations from His word. The scripture says, many are called, but few are chosen. Wow, how special am I that I am chosen! How special are you that you are also chosen!

I am sure there were moments when Mary thought she was not important. I'm sure there were moments of doubt, but at those times, all she had to do was feel the child growing inside of her or look at Jesus as he grew into a man. Then I'm sure she remembered God's love for her. So when we begin to doubt God's love, we must remember that of all the 6 billion people in the world, we are blessed to have God's Spirit living inside of us. That makes us extremely important!

Then I look at Joseph. I've never given too much thought to him before. I mean, Jesus would have been born without Joseph, so his importance is not that great. But the more I think about Joseph, the more I realize how great a man he was. Think about it. You are engaged to a girl and you find out she's pregnant and you know there is no way it's your child. Most guys would run. I mean, she cheated on you, and now she's gone crazy saying it's God's child! I'm sure Joseph was embarrassed, all of his masculinity destroyed. The last thing he would want is to be associated with a crazy, cheating girlfriend. But Joseph stuck around. Joseph trusted God.

Joseph took Mary despite what his family and friends said about him. I'm sure there were moments when Joseph was uncomfortable and embarrassed, but he took care of Mary and protected the special gift they had. We too have to be unashamed of our gift, the gift of the Holy Spirit. Many may question us and our choices, and even though it may make us embarrassed, we must continue sharing the gospel.

Lastly, I see that serving God isn't easy or beautiful sometimes. Mary and Joseph had to travel all the way to Bethlehem in the last trimester of birth. They finally get to Bethlehem and there is no where to sleep but outside in a barn. Unless Mary and Joseph were super human, I'm sure they thought...."God why in the world are you doing this to us? We are doing Your work, and we get treated like this? We deserve better!" I'm sure by the time they got to Bethlehem they even doubted whether they had heard the angel right. Maybe they made it all up in their heads. Surely if they were giving birth to the son of God, it would be in a better place than this!

How many times have I thought that. God I'm doing your work; I'm giving you my all, and I can't get anything better than this? God why did you put me in this town? Couldn't I serve you better somewhere else, somewhere bigger and nicer? Maybe I just imagined God's call. Surely he wouldn't want me doing this.

But Mary and Joseph, despite the fears and doubts they had, trusted God. Even though circumstances weren't ideal, they held on to a promise given 9 months previous. They persevered, and by doing so, the whole world has been changed. Now I'll never do anything as great as give birth to the Savior and change the whole world, but I can change one person's life by sharing the gospel with him/her. Despite my circumstances, I must never stop trusting that God is leading my every step.

So today and for the rest of your life, remember the lessons from the Christmas story. Whenever it seems just like another fairy tale, dig our your Bible and take a closer look. Apply the principles to your life. Let the Christmas story become your life story!

I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas day!!



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