Almost Christmas – Joy Overwhelming

But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Luke 2:10 NIV

It happens to all of us. What happens? You expect something to occur, but then it doesn’t, or at least you think it hasn’t happened. Christmas probably ranks high on the list of times when you have needed to adjust expectations.

I was probably 9 or 10 when the realization hit me that I didn’t have any Christmas presents under the tree. Just for reference, it was probably still three weeks away from Christmas, but time was still close as a kid! My expectation was based on every Christmas past that I had at least a few presents under the tree. Granted, we were not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination, but there was always something. The smart thing would have been to ask my mother about the situation, but even at that age, I had a fixer mentality. So, the next trip into town, I took what I had saved up over the year and headed for the Ben Franklin store (a micro-mini Walmart) in our small town. I found something that I could buy with the money I had saved, and a very kind Mrs. Skaggs wrapped it for me.  I took my present home to put under the tree. The reality was that I would have had presents, but expectations don’t always match reality, especially at Christmas.

I wonder what expectations Mary had when she was chosen to be the mother of the promised Messiah. She had to have a lot of expectations, given that the announcement came directly from an angel. “But the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” (Luke 1:30-32a)

Mary had one simple, procedural question: “How will this be, since I am a virgin? Once the angel gave her an answer, she willingly said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Did Mary think that her friends and family would be excited about the baby she carried? Young, unmarried, and pregnant didn’t fit well in her cultural setting. All we know is that “Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea” to be with Zechariah and Elizabeth.

Did Mary think that Joseph would be excited about the baby she carried? “Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” (Matthew 1:19)

Did Mary think that she would have a high-profile birth? It wasn’t an unrealistic expectation given the royal status of the baby she carried. “The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David” (Luke 1:32b).

Did Mary think she would deliver in a palatial mansion? “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:4-8

Whatever expectations Mary had that night when she was told she would be the mother of the long-awaited and promised Messiah, reality quickly dashed them. Mary did not get a chance to fix up the nursery; she left quickly in a self-imposed exile to stay with Zechariah and Elizabeth in the Judean hill country.

It took an angel to persuade Joseph not to divorce Mary but to take her as his wife. Mary and Joseph walked a tough 70-90-mile journey over rough roads to reach the place where Jesus would be born.

Surely Jesus would be born in lavish surroundings, but even that expectation did not come true that night. Mary gave birth, and the baby was gently wrapped in cloth and laid in a simple, ordinary manger where animals ate their food.

Whatever expectations Mary might have had were entirely unimportant when she said yes to God. Mary’s yes brought her more joy and fulfillment than any expectations she might have had that first night. She came to a deeper understanding of God through obedience and trust. Although Mary had no idea what lay ahead when she said yes, she knew it was the only thing to do. Her song of praise expressed her heartfelt joy.

And Mary said, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” (Luke 1:46-55)

Advent is a time of waiting for something greater than we can ever imagine. Unfortunately, our expectations often fall short of reality. However, when our hearts are focused on the Christmas message of God’s love for the world as Emmanuel, God with us, then we will encounter the most incredible gift any of us could ever receive. “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2: 14)

God is great!