Does God exist? Was Jesus Christ His son? The atheist (a = without, theist = God) will answer no, the agnostic ( a = without, gnostic = knowledge) will answer maybe. Every person of each generation has pondered these questions. Thousands of books have been written in defense of the existence of God and the deity of Jesus Christ, while thousands more have been written to prove otherwise.
When I was a child, anytime we went to the department store, Woolworth’s, I would always look for something I could bring home. Money was always tight so it had to be pretty inexpensive. I would usually have to find something under $1.00, so I started collecting “Big Little Books”. These books fit my needs. They cost .39 cents, were pocket sized, and had tons of pictures, so no reading was required. Somewhere through the years I lost my collection, then a couple of years ago I realized through the power of eBay that I could once again collect these books. This time the cost was a little more than .39 cents, but was well within my budget. There were numbers on each volume, so there are 35 “Big Little Books” In all. Most volumes were very easy to find, some took a little while, others were very scarce, and one was very difficult, I actually found it on an antique site, after a lot of searching.
Luke1:26
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
I believe that Mary was human, just like the rest of us. I believe she lived a simple life. I think she had the same emotions as any girl her age. She was engaged to a man named Joseph. I believe Mary’s life changed drastically the day the Angel visited her, telling her she was going to have a child. Emotions always run high when women are expecting a baby. I am sure there was no exception with Mary. How did she tell her parents? How did she break the news to Joseph? Now their future had a surprise supernatural element. Then, in the midst of all this, Cesar Augustus decreed a tax/census on everyone. This meant a 100 mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. We always envision a perfect Mary and Joseph taking everything in stride, but this added burden created a long journey with makeshift beds, backaches, and, most likely left them feeling unprepared for the arrival of the new born.
Luke 2:16
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
That year had to be emotionally hard on Mary. She went from a simple village life, through the experience of an angel visit, finding out she was expecting a child, then the long journey to Bethlehem. Upon arriving she gave birth to a child, using a manger for a crib. I am sure these are not the circumstances anyone would choose. Then, suddenly from the dark night, she hears excited voices coming, telling of Angels, Heavenly Hosts, and angelic messages declaring her Son the Savior.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
God speaks to us in every facet of life. We just have to be alert enough to listen. Every morning the sun rises up and makes its daily path across the sky, insuring life on this planet. The stars are set in the sky, along with the moon and other planets telling us night, day, seasons and years. In spring, life begins and in winter it ends. All creation, every species, from the ones found in the deepest ocean to the ones in our back yard, have all been designed for a purpose. Any and everywhere we look there are signs of God’s love in all creation. He places people throughout all our lives that help us for no apparent reason. He sends teachers that teach us and motivate us to greater things. He sends miracles our way on a regular basis. He sends the blessings of family and friends and even pets to keep us safe and feeling loved. All these are daily messages from a God that does exist, and loves us.
Luke 7:19
And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
Even those that are the closest to God will have low times. We all have doubts and sometimes depression that plagues our souls. John the Baptist sitting in prison (the very person that the prophets declared would prepare the way for Jesus), sent his disciples to get reassurance, so that he could die knowing that he had seen the Messiah. How easily we forget God’s presence and blessings. We become blinded and busy, and never look for His hand or listen for His voice. We do not take time to look back or consider the past, the times He has delivered us, and blessed us, we only think about and consider the present.
II Timothy 1:12
12 …for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Mary pondered…… In her thoughts she collected all these things together: the Angels, the dreams, the shepherds, the Heavenly Hosts, the promises of God….. and the list goes on. God sent His reaffirming signs; some small and some large. I am sure they were at an exact point when and where she needed them. She had a collection of life experiences that all pointed to a loving God who sent a Savior. As we allow Him, He will do the same in our life. We can look back at our collection of blessings over a lifetime: some small, some large, some very difficult to obtain, but all leading to the knowledge of a loving God and a personal Savior.