A sudden presence of the Angel Gabriel is not something regular or normal for a young virgin of Nazareth. It’s an unusual happening with utmost importance. The angel came with a very important message from God to young Mary, that a child would be born of her womb and He would be called the, “Son of The Highest” and His name would be JESUS. The response from Mary to Gabriel was an instant question. She replied “How can this be, I have not known any man?”
This is how the first Christmas message was received. It was received with a question, a reflection of typical human reasoning towards something which is beyond human perception. It was supernatural, extraordinary just like the great stories she would have heard as an Israeli kid on how God parted the Red Sea through Moses to deliver His people from Egypt. Though it sounded even more special, it still was greeted with a question.
More than two thousand years have gone since the Good News was announced. Many believed, many denied, many mocked, but almost everyone questioned. “How can this be?”, the most popular question by man towards God’s great plans. Even the chosen are not exempt from this. As Christmas is approaching, the celebrations are going to be huge, much bigger and grander than the previous years. But let us not forget the fact that there are questions much bigger all around us and especially within us.
The undeniable truth is that we are celebrating Christ’s first coming at a crucial time of His much awaited second coming. In times where realism, practical thinking and logical reasoning are very relevant in our scientific eyes, it is obvious that someone who believes in the supernatural power of God will be looked at as someone who has lost his or her mind. It will sometimes even make a believer think or question himself, Am I in my right mind?
God is not man, acting in natural realms. The divine birth of Christ is not natural and neither will be His return, but only those who believe will see His glory. Mary was not left without an answer. God answered her with another miracle which He performed through Elizabeth. Zachariah’s question too was answered with a miracle and so was Joseph’s doubt. It’s God’s way of answering a miracle with a miracle, but are we ready to believe His supernatural ways of answering us?
The Bible says that in the last days many shall go away from the faith, 2 Thessalonians 2:3: “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first.” As the questions of naturalism and realism sound so genuine, we will tend to forget the supernatural power of God, but only the one who believes till the end will endure. Mary would have been questioned by many in her times about the purity of her child and herself. But she knew what kind of God she served and His miraculous touch in her life.
This Christmas is a time for us to analyze where we stand. Whether we are living with the security the world has offered us by making us always to think logically, or whether we faithfully persist on the miraculous answers of God to the questions within us, and through us, the questions of others. It is a battle of faith in our minds especially for those who follow Christ. The reasoning of our faith can only be answered by the very reason of our faith. His Divinity, Love, Uniqueness, Power, Second Coming and Existence itself are being questioned. But if our faith persists more than the questions and doubts, His truth will persist in our lives, and through us, in others. Just as Mary did; though she questioned, yet she believed and persevered so that the Glory of God would be revealed,
Gandhi in one of his famous speeches quoted this “In the midst of death, life persists. In the midst of darkness, light persists. In the midst of untruth, truth persists”. The question today for us is, In the midst of questions and doubts will our faith persist? Are we ready to allow God to be Himself in our lives? He is Supernatural, and so are His ways in our lives.
Ephesians 6:10 says, “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes”.
Firm Foundations 