December 12th

December 12th, 2023
Benton Bowman
Readings: ZEC 2:14-17/LK 1:26-38
The line that stuck out to me was "For nothing will be impossible with God." This line in
particular stuck out to me because it encapsulates the message of Advent and Christmas. This
line encourages each and everyone one of us in our walk through life by ensuring us that while
our lives have tough times and we face many trials and tribulations. God is right there along with
us and if we can put our faith and trust in God the way that Mary did, we are able to get through
any hard times we face. While that line demonstrates the power of God, the whole passage
demonstrates God’s love for us, that he will use his divine power to send down his son to save
each and every one of us from eternal damnation. This intervention gives us hope in knowing
that what is in God’s will is going to happen, and that God’s will is good. While oftentimes we
may not like what goes on in our lives, whether it is the death of a relative, a breakup, or losing a
job, we can take comfort in knowing that God has a greater plan for us. In the same way that God
prepared his people for hundreds of years before giving us the substantial blessing of Jesus, God
prepares each and every one of us by putting us through many different trials to ensure that we
are ready to receive the blessing that God is prepared to give us. We must take comfort in
knowing that God has a plan and blessings laid out for us. In the same way that the people in the
Old Testament had faith that God would deliver a Messiah, we must have faith that God will
deliver in our lives. Just as God’s will came to fruition through Jesus, God’s good will is going to
dictate what will come to fruition in our lives as we have faith in Him. The point of Advent is to
prepare us for the coming of Jesus, and we have to have faith that Jesus is our savior. However I
believe Advent extends beyond that and is a reminder not only of our Savior Jesus, but also that
God is always with us, and that if we put our faith in Him, God will always deliver.