The Lost Year - Pt. 6

 

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2:15-20 ESV).

 

I can’t think of a better way to end our short look at “A Lost Year” than our reading today. If ever there was someone who understood the difficulty of a tough year, it has to be Mary, the mother of Jesus. We aren’t told a lot about the time prior to the birth of Jesus, though what we are told indicates the incredible challenges of God’s choice for her. Remember, this is not something she sought. Sometime during the preparation for her marriage to Joseph, she is visited by the angel, Gabriel, who informs her she is pregnant with the child of God. And, she gets no time to reason within her own mind or that of her betrothed, since Joseph is also visited by an angel in a dream. Both Joseph and Mary were well versed in the Scripture. They certainly would have known the prophecy of Isaiah. There the prophet declares that God would give His people “beauty from ashes” (Isaiah 61:3). However, I’m relatively certain this is not what they expected.

 

Mary’s life would be forever changed. And, it would be changed for the better. Isn’t that what is happening today. We’ve already seen some incredible good come from the destruction of this time. We’ve seen beauty come from the ashes. Out of the fear and anxiety we are seeing some who are turning more to the One who has conquered our fears. That is a change that is eternal. We are also seeing many people restore their commitment to help others. The idea that the government is somehow an adequate substitute for loving and helping one another has always been a colossal mistake. In this year we have seen an exclamation point placed on service to others.

 

There is much more that has happened and will yet happen. Today I would encourage you to make it an even greater celebration of love for others than ever before. Love longer. Love deeper. Love greater. Look for the beauty rising from the ashes of hurt, change, and grief. God is indeed still in control!