Merry Christmas from Virgil and Judy Stoke s

Friday, December 22, 2017

Building People of Substance for Works of Power

Merry Christmas, Just A.

Somewhere around 9 months before that first Christmas, a girl named Mary was visited by an angel who told her she would become pregnant without the aid of a man. She was puzzled by this, but the angel assured her that “nothing is impossible for God.” She immediately responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me.” (Luke 1:38 GW)

9 months later, her child was delivered in a Bethlehem stable. At the same time, angels visited some shepherds and gave them an earful: “Shepherds were in the fields near Bethlehem. They were taking turns watching their flock during the night. An angel from the Lord suddenly appeared to them. The glory of the Lord filled the area with light, and they were terrified. The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, a message that will fill everyone with joy. Today your Savior, Christ the Lord, was born in David’s city.” (Luke 2:8-11 GW)

I am convinced that Mary endured childbirth as most women. It was painful and exhausting. She was in a stable far from home. She was probably frightened. She would certainly have wanted better circumstances. The shepherds were in a field tending sheep, watching for wolves, catching a nap, just taking care of regular business. It was in the midst of real life that God invaded humanity by coming in human form. For Mary, for the shepherds and for all the world, everything changed in that moment. The Word became flesh, and life on earth has never been the same.

Somebody Said: “The thing about Christmas is that it almost doesn’t matter what mood you’re in or what kind of a year you’ve had – it’s a fresh start.” Kelly Clarkson

Scripture Reading: The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish. (John 1:14 MSG)

Like Mary, you are the Lord’s servant. Judy and I pray for you this Christmas that everything God has said about you will be yours in truth, that the Word will be a tangible reality right in the middle of your everyday life. When the Word moves in, nothing ever has to be the same again.

Virgil And Judy Stokes

www.fcftucson.org