Christmas Lessons from the First Disciple

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Luke 1:26-28

Writing about Mary, Timothy George says: “Mary was a disciple of Christ before she was his mother, for had she not believed she would not have conceived.” Later in Luke’s Gospel Jesus tells the crowd what the marks of a disciple are when he says: “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice” (Luke 8:21). So what can we learn from Mary - the first disciple that we can apply to our celebration of Christmas?

Have and keep the faith. Unlike Zechariah who did not believe Gabriel when he said Elizabeth would have a son, Mary does believe when Gabriel tells her she is going to have a son, and acts on that faith even though she does not fully understand how it will happen. Mary understands the potential dangers and says yes to God’s plan anyway. No matter what you are facing during this season of Christmas, hold fast to your faith and say yes to God’s plan.

Worship! Her act of obedience is an act of worship. The song she sings when she visits Elizabeth is another act of worship. Sing this Christmas season! Turn your radio, mp3 player, tablet or computer up and sing. Sing, to worship the One who came to give you peace and joy. 

Reflect. “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart: (Luke 2:19). Take time this Christmas season to slow down or better yet to stop completely to reflect on all that God has done and is doing in your life. Have you seen Him in the storms? Have you felt His victory? Mary was human like us - she said yes to God without really knowing what would follow, so when out of the ordinary things happened she pondered it all in her heart. 

This Christmas take some pointers from the first disciple: keep the faith (He will never leave you), worship by answering his call and singing of His goodness, and reflect - stop and ponder in your heart all that He has done for you, your family and your friends. 

My Prayer For You
Father, Thank you for the celebration that we call Christmas. Help us to keep the faith, to be obedient. May we worship You with every fiber of our being. In the midst of our busyness as we prepare to celebrate the greatest gift, help us to stop and reflect on all You have done. Thank you for the examples set by those who have gone before - may we learn from them what it means to be a follower of Your Son. In the name of Jesus, Amen.