Merry Christmas
I will not be presenting a complete Leader's Lesson today, but rather a few nuggets that I felt I needed to hear during this busy time. I don't want this beautiful time of the year, when we celebrate our Lord's birth, to pass by without us truly enjoying and seeing the real reason for this season.
I was reminded of three things I need to remember, and I shared these in my devotions, "Karen's Korners.”
1. You Are Equipped
Perhaps you feel like Mary at times! Mary was visited by an angel, but even this was not enough for her to immediately accept the challenge (Luke 1).
Mary was given the news about becoming the mother of our Lord, yet she still had questions: "How can this be?"
Mary was given confirmation for her task: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for the Lord has found delight in you."
You are equipped for your tasks. God delights in you; do not be fearful.
2. You Can Endure
Through Mary's endurance, her son, Jesus, would come as the world's only hope (Luke 1).
Mary said, "How can this happen?" But she did not stop there.
Mary told the angel, "May everything you have told me come to pass." We honor her for her submission and obedience.
We can submit to our precious Lord, but this takes time and obedience. It is well worth the effort.
3. You Can Enjoy
Mary's process was difficult: being ridiculed by her peers, her fiancé almost leaving her, and a long journey on a donkey when she was ready to deliver her precious child.
Mary believed and was blessed. Elizabeth told Mary, "You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said." Could we miss our blessing because we do not believe?
Mary praised her God in her process. Wow, this is the key!
We can enjoy because praise brings us into His presence.
Conclusion
We can certainly enjoy our daily celebration—His celebration—by giving gifts, giving of ourselves, being with family and friends, and walking in His presence.
However, we can truly enjoy because: God has and is equipping us daily for our tasks. We can endure the process because we step back and look at life with the right perspective. And we will praise our Lord, the one who came as a baby and gave His all!
Merry Christmas to you and your family. We will continue our communication in the New Year, 2026.