December 25th Advent Devotional

December 25

Luke 2:6-7

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place in the guest room.

-Luke 2:6-7

When Gabriel visited Mary and told her the deal, I can imagine her saying, “Wait, what?” She had a huge responsibility land on her, and while she was 100% on board, she must have been scared. She was only human, after all. Did she ever think, “How can I do this?” or “I believe; help my unbelief!” Did she ever wonder how a baby in a dirty feeding trough could save humanity?

God uses all sorts of people to do His work: Mary, a teenage girl; guys with poor public speaking skills, such as Moses and Peter; a guy with a sketchy love life (David)—so the Son of God was a no-brainer. Heck, even Jesus said, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want” (Matthew 26:39). Doing the hard thing, even if it is the right thing, is scary.

That baby of humble beginnings went on to do great works and, in turn, told his followers that they would “also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these” (John 14:12).

It seems reasonable to think, “I believe; help my unbelief,” to keep putting one foot in front of another and doing “the works” as best I can. What works are you doing today? In even the smallest of ways, how can you follow in the footsteps of Mary today, Christmas Day, and allow God to use you?

Ariana Postlethwait