Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
CELEBRATING THE GOOD
NEWS
Joseph Mattackal D.Min.
Long
Island Mar Thoma Church
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you
will bear! Blessed is she who has believed
that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
Angel Gabriel appears to Mary with a blessing
and a prophecy of good news. The news with which she was greeted by the angel
was startling and unexplainable.
Mary probably was dumb founded at this
news. Normal human beings will not be able to comprehend as to what had
just happened. When the angel said, "nothing is impossible for
God", Mary believed it. Her initial fear gave way to the future
glory of bringing forth a Savior to the world. She did not waste time thinking
about it or contemplating her future. She did not sit around for a while
to sink in her encounter with the angel. She did not think twice about the
shame and ridicule she may face in the community or by her fiancé.
On hearing that her cousin who was barren is
six months' pregnant she was excited to celebrate her good news with her
cousin. We read that she hurried to a town in the hill country to meet
Elizabeth.
We can see the celebration of joy when they met.
Here we see the meeting of two expectant mothers who are to bring
forth two great men ever lived on planet earth. Heaven is rejoicing
and the angels are looking down . The expectant mothers are filled with
the Holy Ghost. A warm greeting and embrace! Baby John leaps with joy in
the womb sensing the presence of the Lord. What a celebration! What a glorious
meeting! The whole incident transported everyone to the pinnacle of
ecstasy.
What we see here is God's divine plan taking
shape in the redemption process. Ultimately, the sinless one shed His
precious blood on Calvary and bought us from the bondage of sin. We have to
heed to the prodding of the Holy Spirit in us and by faith, we can be part of
that redemption. We have to blindly believe as Mary and give a chance for
Jesus to be born in our hearts. For those who have gone through this
process can undoubtedly vouch for the inexplicable joy that envelopes us in
this process.
When the Savior was to be born in Mary's womb,
she couldn't wait to celebrate that Good News. When we are favored in the
sight of God and conceived by His Holy birth in us, we should have the same
excitement. All the past is gone and a new spiritual being is born.
What a joyous occasion that will be! Just like Mary, we have to hurry and
celebrate that good news with our family and friends. We may be subjected
to criticism and ridicule when we act a little different from the norm.
Our friends may call us crazy when the new birth experience bring forth a
radical change in our lives. Never mind, we are the recipients of Heavenly
favor. Celebrate the Good News.
What a joyous celebration that would be! It is
contagious. People around us are going to be affected and drawn to Christ. The
Holy Spirit is going to work in the minds of others. They will experience the
same blessing and excitement as we are. Everyone is going to be filled with the
Holy Spirit having fellowship, sharing their experience, mutually enriching and
praising God for His favor in making us the sons and daughters of the Most
High, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
PRAYER
Dear God! Please help us to celebrate the Good
News of Gospel with our family and friends in our daily lives so that we can
glorify Your name by witnessing in the life situations You have placed us. In
Jesus' name. Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
"A joy shared is a joy
doubled" Swedish Proverb