The Christmas season should be one filled with joy and happiness as we reflect

on the wonderful gift God blessed us with, his Son Jesus.

Sadly, many have never heard the wonderful stories about him and so they

are filled with anxiety, fear, and despair.

It is my hope that each one of us, will take time to spend with
God in meditation and prayer, and also share the stories with your friends,
family, and loved ones.

The Bible says…Hope deferred, makes the heart sick.

Remembering the miracles and faithfulness of God, gives us hope, and
drives away fear and a spirit of depression.

Elisabeth was an elderly relative of Jesus, who longed for a child for many
years. She was married to a priest names Zacharias, and after many long
years of prayer and service, God decided to bless them with the gift of a child.

This was a miraculous gift, since Elisabeth was well past her child bearing years,
yet with God, all things are possible.

Six months after Elisabeth became pregnant,
God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town
in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was a
young woman, busy planning her wedding
day to a carpenter named Joseph.

The angel appeared before Mary
saying…

Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found
favor with God and are blessed among women.

You will soon give birth to a son, and you
are to name him JESUS. He will be great and
shall be called the Son of the Most High. The
Lord will give him the throne of his father
David, and he will reign over the house of
Jacob forever.

Mary asked the angel how this could happen,
since she was a virgin.

The angel answered her…

The Holy Ghost shall come upon you, and the
power of the Highest shall overshadow you.
The holy one born to you will be called the
Son of God.

Elisabeth your cousin, who was barren, is
also with child, in her old age. She is in
her sixth month.

For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Luke 1:37

Mary said, may it be unto me according to
your words.

Mary loved God so much and was deeply honored by
his request for her to be the mother to His son.
It meant great sacrifice on her part, for she
would have to find a way to tell Joseph and her
family about this pregnancy.

Even though the marriage had not taken place,
they were legally bound together and could not
end the engagement, unless there was a written
divorce granted. This would mean public
disclosure of her pregnancy, gossip, shame
and disgrace.

She would also be at risk of being publicly
stoned for infidelity.

It took great courage on her part, trusting
God to work out all the details of His
amazing plan. She did not tell Joseph or her
family right away… but immediately went to
visit her cousin Elisabeth, who lived in the
hill country of Judea.

When Mary arrived at Elisabeth’s home she
entered and greeted her.

When Elisabeth heard her greeting, the child
in her womb, leaped inside of her and Elisabeth
was filled with the Holy Spirit. She cried…

Blessed are you among women and blessed is the
child you will bear! Why am I so favored that
the Mother of the Lord should come to visit me?
When I heard your voice, the baby in my womb
leaped for joy.

Blessed is she that believed: for there shall
be a performance of those things which were
told her from the Lord. Luke 1:45

Mary replied…My soul magnifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.
He saw my lowly estate and from now
on all generations will call me blessed.

His mercy is on those who fear him from
generation to generation.

Mary stayed with Elisabeth and Zacharias for
about 3 months and then returned home.

Elizabeth gave birth to a son, and all of
her neighbors and relatives rejoiced with her.

On the 8th day, the child was to be
circumcised and named; the people tried to
name the child Zacharias, after his father,
for it was the tradition at that time, but
his mother said…NO!

His name is John.

The people were confused, for no one in
their family had that name. They asked
Zacharias what he wished the child to be
named. He was unable to speak but he
wrote on a tablet, he shall be called
John.

Immediately, after he wrote the name, his
voice returned and he began to praise God.
The people all over Judea wondered what
great thing the Lord had planned for the
child. And the hand of the Lord was with
him.

Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit
and he prophesied…

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he
has visited and redeemed his people and has
raised up a horn of salvation for us in the
house of his servant David. As he has
spoken by the mouth of his holy prophets
since the beginning of the world, that we
should be saved from our enemies, and from
the hand of all that hate us.

You, my child shall be called a prophet of
the Most High; for you will go before the
Lord to prepare the way for him, to give
his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins.

Through the tender mercy of our God;
whereby the dayspring from on high hath
visited us. To give light to them that
sit in darkness and in the shadow of
death, to guide our feet into the way of
peace. Luke 1:79

Many prophesies of the Old Testament were
coming true. Joel 2:28

And it shall come to pass afterward, that
I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh;
and your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams,
your young men shall see visions.

Jeremiah 23:5-6

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that
I will raise unto David a righteous Branch
and a King shall reign and prosper, and
shall execute judgment and justice in the
earth. In his days Judah shall be saved,
and Israel shall dwell safely: and this
is his name whereby he shall be called,
THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Malachi 3:1

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he
shall prepare the way before me: and the
Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come
to his temple, even the messenger of the
covenant, whom ye delight in: behold,
he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

Psalm 119:9

He sent redemption unto his people; he
hath commanded his covenant for ever:
holy and reverend is his name.

When God called Mary, she was probably
just a teenager. For her to be chosen
by God, meant she would face people
gossiping about her and calling her
son illegitimate. It meant shame in
the eyes of the world, but to her it
was an honor to be called the servant
of the LORD.

Filled with the power of the
Holy Spirit…Mary, Elisabeth, and
Zacharias spoke words of praise to
God, for allowing them the privilege
of being vessels, used by him for a
higher purpose…to prepare the way
for Jesus; who would save all of
mankind from eternal death and
damnation for their sins.

May we follow Mary’s example…
laying down our plans and
desires, to serve the Lord, with
joy and thanksgiving in our hearts,
each and every day of our life,
for blessing us with the beautiful
gift of his Son, Jesus Christ.

In the last book of the Bible Jesus reminded us…

I Jesus have sent mine angel to
testify unto you these things in
the churches. I am the root and
the offspring of David, and the
bright and morning star.
Revelation 22:16

Today you may be worried and filled with fear, but God send me to tell you
how much he loves you. Lay your future in his hands and let him bring light,
hope and peace to you and your family this Christmas.

Thank you God for Christmas
To remind me of your love.
And for the greatest gift of all
The blessing of your Son.

Thank you for Salvation
From Christ’s great sacrifice.
For with His death upon the cross.
We have eternal life.

What offering can I bring you
For blessings great as these..
But to share with friends and family
My love and joy and peace.

Let all my words and thoughts convey
My thankfulness in every way.
So everyone I know will see
You shining brightly, now through me.

How beautiful are the feet of them that
preach the gospel of peace, and bring
glad tidings of good things!
Romans 10:15

Your sister and servant of the LORD Jesus,
Valerie Rousseau