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Shelburne Free Press https://shelburnefreepress.ca/?p=5150 Export date: Sun Nov 24 22:51:51 2024 / +0000 GMT |
Crossroads Community Church A brisk morning brought us together as we sought the comfort of God's sanctuary. Pastor Don greeted everyone, and Fred came forth to light the advent candles; the first of Hope and this week's candle of Faith, scripture reading was from Romans 10:13-17. Announcements were shared and prayers lifted up to God. We pray for the elderly who in this season have difficulty getting around, we pray for those suffering with life threatening illnesses and for those who suffer consequences from long time injuries. We know God is a healer and comforter. Amen. Many wonderful choruses were sung and Bob read Psalm 98, and Matthew 5:14-16. Pastor Don came with a big smile and said, “There is great excitement in the air when we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but I wonder if Mary felt the same some 2000 years ago when the Angel Gabriel announced that she had been favored by God to give birth to the Son of God, (Luke 1:26-33). This must have been difficult to believe and this is where faith comes in, what we read in scripture is that Mary was a virgin and pledged to be married. History tells us customary betrothal would happen at about 14 years old and she would remain with her parents until the wedding day. History also says Mary was humble and devoted to God. She was from Nazareth, a far from prestigious town by general opinion and that Mary was in love with Joseph,(John 1:41-46). “Also the time of engagement was just as binding as the actual marriage, only divorce could dissolve it. So why Did God choose Mary? God needed a young virgin to bring forth His perfect Son so he would not be overshadowed by the sin of man. Jesus needed to be Holy and remain sinless, he could not have come from man, just as Adam came perfect from God before his sin, Jesus came perfect from God so He would not inherit the sin from Adam. By remaining sinless he brought us life through forgiveness,(Colossians 2:13). By becoming human he is able to identify with all our humanity, (Hebrews 4:15). Now let's go back to Mary, now that she has heard the angel, many things must have crossed her mind, what will Joseph think? Or will she be killed, abandoned, ridiculed, shunned and left to a less than honorable life? How could she explain her pregnancy? Never the less, she asked a very legitimate question, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” And the angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God, For nothing is impossible with God” Luke 1:34-37. At such an incredible answer can we assume that she was immediately reassured? Maybe, for it was prophesied by Isaiah, (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:21-23). As we read through this passage, Mary still hadn't accepted this incredible request from God, and despite the doubts and fear she may have felt, she proclaimed the boldest statement of Faith ever recorded, “Mary responded, “I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her, “Luke 1:38. She was faithful and obedient and said yes to the Son of God. Beloved After 2000 years this is still true, “Nothing is impossible with God!” It may be true that the human need is great, times are difficult, but Hope and Faith in God lets us believe in miracles. Miracles happen even today, and that is what Christmas is all about, from the Angel visiting Mary, to the star in the sky to the miracle of virgin birth to the Angels singing Glory to God in the Highest and Good will to all men to people given new life through Jesus we just need to be ready, faithful and obedient servants of the Lord. This Christmas, dare to be spiritually correct and share the miracle of Christmas, Jesus our New Born King! Have a blessed season of Advent as you prepare your hearts for Christmas, Asherey Shalom! To learn more visit www.shelburnecrossroadschurch.ca |
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Post date: 2013-12-11 17:41:20 Post date GMT: 2013-12-11 22:41:20 Post modified date: 2013-12-18 14:05:41 Post modified date GMT: 2013-12-18 19:05:41 |
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