Ponder This in Your Heart by Lisa Burkhardt Worley
It continues to trip people up to this day.
The virgin birth—God incarnate coming to this Earth as baby Jesus—but if you still struggle with the concept, ask God for confirmation.
As I read Luke 2 this week, it occurred to me that even the Virgin Mary may have needed a word that this baby she birthed was actually God’s Son. Something like this had never happened before and will never happen again. For many it was far-fetched.
But God is so good. Through an angel, he proclaimed the news of this miraculous birth of the Christ child to a group of shepherds while they were watching over their flocks at night. The angel said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’”
So the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem to see for themselves what the angel was talking about, and there He was, just as the angel said, the Savior of the world.
My guess is that the shepherds told Mary and Joseph this story and what I find most interesting is what Scripture says after the shepherds left, that Mary “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” I believe the angel’s word to the shepherds was as much for Mary as it was for them. If Mary had ever questioned what was going on, after the shepherds account, she was probably thinking, This is really happening. I am the mother of the Son of God! It may have been the confirmation she needed.
So this Advent season, if you are just going through the motions, ask Jesus to become real to you. Pray for a dream or vision. Pray for a miracle. Pray that something inexplicable happens that could only be of God. Then like Mary, ponder those things and treasure them in your heart—and never doubt again.
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6-7, NKJV)