My Christmas wish

She could have said “no,” you know. Mary could have said “no” when God approached her about having the baby Jesus. She was, after all, a poor unwed teenager, engaged in an arranged marriage, in a dangerous time and place. It is important for us to acknowledge, that Mary could have said “no.” Or, “let me talk with Joseph.” Or, “wait until I’m married.” Or, “ask my parents.”

Instead, Mary said, “Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”

Whenever God calls us, we can always say “no.” When we submit to something God wants, the freedom we give up is the obsession to demand our own way. Oddly, this sets us free, for because it allows us to let go of all the “shoulds” and “musts” in our lives.

This Christmas, my wish for you is to be set free. I pray you are not burdened by what “should” happen at Christmas, and are rather set free to experience what God has already made happen! I pray you are set free to say “yes” when God calls. Join us and celebrate that. You can say “no,” of course… but I hope you won’t!

Blessings,

Pastor Steph