This has been a tough week mentally, physically, and spiritually.
I had written the outline to this blog last weekend and went over it...over and over again, in my mind during the course of this week. However, it never jelled to the point where I felt comfortable with it. I think because the message is so huge.
Without the birth of Jesus, the human race would never get the chance to learn about him, or the love he had for us, or the opportunity to join in a relationship with him. And to take it a step farther down. Without the birth of Jesus, I wouldn't have known about him, or the love he had for me, or the opportunity to join in a relationship with him.
As the week unfolded and went from good to bad, the blog entry continued to stick in my head, because as I tried to formalize my ideas, I kept reading about Jesus and his promises. And this helped me to stay on course and keep my composure.
So while my blog entry is not perfect I am still going to share it with you. Thank you for support and I am sincerely sorry that it doesn't flow perfectly and the ideas/thoughts might be a little obscure. But the crew of the HMS Surprise is a smart lot and I am sure you can help me finish it!
And lastly have a safe and wonderful Christmas!
v/r Captain Jack
I haven't seen the movie "The Nativity" yet but I am planning on going this upcoming Tuesday. And if the creators follow the history as the Bible states it, then the movie is probably going to be very thought provoking and cool.
Here is Mary a servant girl anywhere from 13 to 16 years old who is visited by the angel Gabriel.
In the sixth month of Elizabeth
’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greeting, favored woman! The Lord is with you!" Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. "Don
’t be frightened, Mary," the angel told her, "for God has decided to bless you! You will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!" Mary asked the angel, "But how can I have a baby? I am a virgin."
The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby born to you will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God." - Luke 1:26-35
Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said to me come true" And then the angel left. - Luke 1:38
If you really kick back and think about what is written above you will notice some really important thoughts going on.
Mary had a relationship with God even before he sends the angel to her. To me this is apparent because God knows enough about her that he decides to use her out of all the woman living at that time. And because of this relationship, Mary willingly accepted the detailed instructions of the angel.
And by accepting, Mary totally submits to God's plan for her life and gives up any and all dreams she might have had prior to the angel
’s visit which speaks volumes about her relationship with God. For by saying yes to God, she left herself open to the scorn associated with being a pregnant, unwed, teenager. But Mary demonstrates that she values his purpose over her reputation. Mary responded, "Oh how I praise the Lord, How I rejoice in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation will call me blessed. For he, The Mighty One, is holy, and he had done great things for me. His mercy goes on from generation to generation, for all who fear him. His mighty arm does tremendous things! How he scatters the proud and haughty ones! He has taken princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. And how he helped his servant Israel! He has not forgotten his promise to be merciful. For he promised our ancestors - Abraham and his children - to be merciful to them forever. - Luke 1:46-55
And after the plan was set in motion and she became pregnant she enjoyed God's presence in her life for she exclaims, he noticed me, no one will ever forget me, he has done great things, he does tremendous things...So here is Mary at the tip of the spear as the greatest operation ever, to save mankind from itself unfolds, and she is totally thrilled by being used by God.
And by believing in God, submitting to his call, and enjoying his presence in her life, she ultimately was a witness to God's power. For she was not only the mother of the Messiah, but also a disciple. She was there for, and experienced the good and bad times. She personally witnessed him studying the scriptures, speaking in the temples, miracles, and ultimately dying for our sins on the cross.
