Subject: Experiencing Christmas Like Mary
by Rick Welborne
Luke 1:26-38 (NIV)
26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,
27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.
28 The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.
31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.
32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
34 "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.
37 For nothing is impossible with God."
38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,
27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.
28 The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.
31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.
32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
34 "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.
37 For nothing is impossible with God."
38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
1. To have a Mary Christmas, determine to live a pure life.
Luke 1:26-28 (NIV)
26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,
27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.
28 The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,
27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.
28 The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
--Many non-Catholics feel that the Catholic church puts way too much emphasis on Mary and may attribute to her too much power and authority.
--I understand their concern and I understand that there is only One Savior and that is Jesus Christ our Lord but I also believe we should give honor where honor is due.
--She was highly favored for a couple of reasons at least…The Lord was with her and she was a virgin…don’t miss the significance of God using her because she was pure and because of His presence.
--Because it is Christmas and because we have little ears with us I want to be very careful what I say but parents be careful to guard your children from the temptation of losing their purity too young.
--Because relationships are progressive in nature…the longer you wait and the longer they wait to get involved in dating and relationships…the safer they will be…I know what worldly guys are like…I was one!
2. To have a Mary Christmas, determine to have the same purpose she had.
Luke 1:30-33 (NIV)
30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.
31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.
32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.
31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.
32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
--What we want in our lives and what we want coming out of our lives should be the same as Mary’s, the Lord Jesus Christ.
--What or maybe who do people see when they look at us? Is there any trace that Jesus lives inside of us and is there any lifestyle coming from us that resembles the Son of God? Do they see Jesus?
--Our purpose is to shine for Him not for us.
Matthew 5:16 (NCV)
16 In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven.
16 In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven.
3. To have a Mary Christmas, determine to not allow the puzzles in your life to stop God’s plan.
Luke 1:34 (NIV)
34 "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
34 "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
--The sooner we figure out that we do not have everything figured out…the better off we will be. Our lives seem to be complicated puzzles but Jesus is the One Who can put it all together.
--Like Mary, obedience was her part and the details were God’s part.
4. To have a Mary Christmas, determine to experience God’s power.
Luke 1:35 (NIV)
35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
--Now we are talking about Christmas as far as I am concerned…here is the answer to how, the answer to what, and the answer to who.
--How was Mary going to bring forth this God child…Holy Spirit will come upon you!
--What was God thinking when He chose Mary to bring forth Immanuel…God with us…Holy Spirit will come upon you!
--Who was God going to bring forth out of her life…Jesus! Holy Spirit will come upon you!
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”
5. To have a Mary Christmas, determine to see the possibilities.
Luke 1:36-37 (NIV)
36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.
37 For nothing is impossible with God."
36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.
37 For nothing is impossible with God."
--How can the impossible become possible and how can we have a Mary Christmas?
A. Determine to live pure.
--Too late, Preacher, I have already messed up. Run to Jesus!
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)
21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
B. Determine that everything you do will be for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NKJV)
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
C. Determine to let God be in control instead of you.
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
D. Determine to allow Holy Spirit to come upon you.
Ephesians 5:17-18 (NIV)
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
E. Determine that impossible will not be part of your vocabulary.
Luke 18:27 (NKJV)
27 But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."
27 But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."
The Key:
Luke 1:38 (NIV)
38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
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