The Majesty Of God At Christmas

During Advent, we can find the majesty of God at Christmas in the Gospel of Luke.

“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

Christmas Story

It is difficult for many to believe the Christmas story in the Bible. For example, Mary’s pregnancy creates a lot of skepticism for some. The Virgin Mary was told by an angel that she would become pregnant and would give birth to the Son of God. A virgin giving birth! Come on? And, to the Son of God! Give me a break. How do you explain that?  

As a pastor, I’m supposed to offer prospective and provide answers. After all, I’ve lived a long time. I have a lot of education. I talk to God on a regular basis and study God’s word. Sorry, the truth is that I can’t explain it. I don’t have a logical answer for this one. Because a miracle is impossible to understand. All I can offer is my life story. 

God Provided

As a young person, I prayed for a beautiful, loving wife and God answered my prayer. Thankfully, the bride of my youth still stands with me today.  I prayed for a job to be able to support a family and God gave me a good one… and made me successful. I prayed for smart, healthy children and God gave me three.  When my youngest daughter had multiple miscarriages, we prayed that God would heal her and God caused a curious ultrasound technician to find a bifurcated uterus. This was something that could be corrected, and now she has four children and I have six grandchildren. When my sister was diagnosed with leukemia, a disease for which people die, God healed her and she is still here today. Praise God!

I remember a time when I needed a new roof on my house… and God provided one… for free.  I remember a time that I needed a new engine in my car… and God sent a Christian brother to install one.  When I prayed for a family at church, who was facing homelessness, God gave them a home and a $30,000 interest-free loan. God has allowed us to give out 70 boxed-dinners on Sunday… for eight months straight. Where has the money come from? God put it in the hearts of people to donate. 

Jobs, homes, babies, education, clothing, food, cars… God has provided more abundantly and above all that I could have hoped for or imagined.

God Performs Miracles

God still performs miracles, things that cannot be easily explained. He does it to display his power among the people. He desires to declare his majesty in our lives, so that others may see and know that he is God. Let me ask you this question, “Is the majesty of God at Christmas on display in your life?”

If the answer to my question is, “No.”  Then, let me challenge you to be like Mary. “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God…’ (Luke 1:30). So, there it is. It is that simple.  What, did you miss it?  We have to find favor with God.

Say “Yes”

A lot of people try to make the answer for gaining the favor of God complicated. But, I have read of all God’s favorites in the scriptures, and I have known many great servants of God.  The one thing they all have in common is that they said, “Yes.” They may have resisted at first, like Isaiah, saying, “Lord, I am a man of unclean lips.” Or, like Moses, “I’m a stutterer.”   Or, how about the story of Gideon? I love Gideon’s reply to God,  “Pardon me, my lord, but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family” (Judges 6:15).

If you desire to please God, this desire will cause you to say, “Yes.” If this desire is not in your heart, ask God to align your desires with his. Do this and you will find the majesty of God this Christmas.

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear