What do you wish for this Christmas?

Luke 1:5-37 (NIV)

What do you wish for this Christmas? A new car, new coat, a sweater, books, subscription to an activity for you and your husband or friends. Or do you have a wish that you think will never come true. Sometimes it is fun to think of something so big that we know it is almost impossible to happen. Earlier this week I told my sister I would love to have a million dollars for Christmas. She laughed at me, because we don’t have that kind of money. But I was really serious. I wanted it to give to the food banks and all the people who need help this Christmas.

In Luke chapter 1, we read the story of the Jewish priest Zechariah, and his wife, Elizabeth. At this point Elizabeth is older and had been barren all her life. In that time and culture, to be barren was considered a disgrace. As a woman of faith, can you imagine how many times she had prayed to God for a child. How she had wished and prayed that God would take away her barrenness. I am sure that there were times that Elizabeth and Zechariah felt that God had forgotten them. Then one time when Zechariah was on duty at the temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah. Gabriel told Zechariah that Elizabeth was to have a son. Well as you can imagine, Zechariah didn’t believe the angel. So Gabriel says in verses 19-20, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you good news! But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.” (NLT)

In verse 26-35, we have Gabriel appearing again, only this time to the virgin, Mary, letting her know that she has been chosen to have the Son of God. Verse 28 says “Gabriel appeared to her (Mary) and said, “Greetings! favored woman! The Lord is with you.” (NLT) Mary is shocked and confused as to how she could have a baby as she was a virgin. If you were Mary, I am sure you would have a few questions. I know I would. The angel reassures Mary that her older cousin Elizabeth, who is barren, is also having a child. The angel Gabriel also told Mary that her baby is to be the Son of God and that he would be holy. To further convince her we find Gabriel saying, in verse 37 “For nothing is impossible with God.” (NIV)

Here you have two everyday women of faith, one older who has faithfully served the Lord without being blessed with children, and the other woman a devoted teenager, who is a virgin, but is betrothed. Both seemingly not in a position to have a child, however, the Lord announces they are both having very important children in the Bible.

What do you wish for? As a woman of faith, what has been on your heart and soul for months or years that you have been praying to God for over and over and over again? You may be losing hope that it will never happen. Maybe you have been trying to have a child and yet you are still praying. What about that family member that you have witnessed to? Tell him/her again that God loves them. What is your wish, your hope, this Christmas? The Baby Jesus is your hope. Prevailing prayer to God, and believing in Him keeps your hope in Jesus this Christmas.

THERE IS NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!

Pray and keep believing. Keep your hope before Jesus this Christmas!

By Kathleen Brewer