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Living in the Wonder of God

“And Mary said, ‘I’m bursting with God—news; I’m dancing the song of my
Savior God. God took one good look at me, and look what happened—I’m the
most fortunate woman on earth! What God has done for me will never be forgotten,
the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others. His mercy
flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before Him…He has
performed mighty deeds with his arm”. Luke 1:46-51A The Message Bible
The angel Gabriel had just announced to Mary that the Lord had found favor
with her and she would soon give birth to a son “Who will be great”. In this
passage of Luke’s gospel which is entitled, “Mary’s Song,” the young girl
Mary rejoices in the wonder of God’s power over her life. According to the
Message Bible her spirit is dancing and bursting with God—news (at first I
thought that the printer left out the “O” in good, but God—news is better
than good news). This God—news has left Mary in “Awe”.

When we look at the story of the birth of Jesus, each person who in one way or
the other encounters this wonder is left in awe. Life going forward is a life
lived in the wonder of God’s awesomeness. Like Mary, the shepherds are left
to live out their lives in the wonder of God’s awesomeness. So it was with the
Magi from the East. Joseph who would eventually marry Mary will live the
rest of his life in the wonder of God’s action. Our record does not record the
hundreds of thousands who, at the time, heard of this wondrous moment and
event and would live life, from then on out, in the wonder of God’s power,
mercy and good favor.

I wonder how long did it take for life to settle down and all who witnessed or
heard the God—news to return back to the normality of life and business as
usual? As Advent prepares us for Christmas and we are once again filled with
the awe, joy and wonder of our God in the birth of the Christ child, it does not
take long, post-Christmas, for us to return to the normal everyday living of
life and business as usual.

As you wrestle and struggle with all of the cares and concerns of family, home,
church, job, personal conflicts, illnesses, tragedies and death in the coming
new year, remember the celebration of Christ’s birth so that you might find
yourselves, “Living in the Wonder of God.” This is the God “Whose mercy
flows in wave after wave”, who sent to us One who still awes us and can cause
our spirits to dance, bursting with the God—news that He is come and looks
on us with favor.

Ronald E. Braxton, D. Min

Related posts:

1. Sermon Notes: Before You Give Up, Look Again
2. Sermon Notes: Living a Marked Life
3. Christmas Eve Worship Service
4. Project Angel Tree time is here again.
5. 2010 Lenten Devotional Available