Your Christmas Miracle

Christmas is supposed to be a time of great joy, yet many people struggle to find God’s joy and peace this time of year. Whether because of financial pressures, strained relationships, health problems, or just the busyness of the holidays, some people see Christmas as a time of stress, pain, or depression rather than joy.

So how can God intervene in your circumstances this year, giving you a holiday season that is truly filled with His peace and joy? Sometimes amid all the festivities and anxiety of the Christmas season, it’s easy to forget…

Right from the beginning, Christmas was a time of miracles!

Mary must have been stunned when the angel Gabriel appeared one day and told her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” (Luke 1:28)

Of course, the angel’s message was great news. Mary was “highly favored”…the Lord was with her…and she was blessed!

Take a few moments to read Gabriel’s proclamation again, because God wants to give YOU this same message today. He wants you to know you are highly favored and blessed. And He wants to reveal Himself as Immanuel, the One who is always with you (Matthew 1:23).

However, Mary didn’t immediately celebrate Gabriel’s announcement. “She was troubled,” and the mighty angel had to calm her fears: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God” (Luke 1:29-30).

What a great lesson for us: Mary was right on the brink of an incredible breakthrough of God’s favor, but she had to overcome FEAR.

My friend, hear this message loud and clear: You must never allow fear to hold you back from obeying God and receiving His blessings in your life!

Nothing Is Impossible

If someone promised to give you their favor, that would be a good thing. But the value of that favor would be limited to the resources they were able to offer you.

Yet Mary “found favor with God”—favor that was supernatural and unlimited! Her son would be Jesus, the Savior: “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest” (Luke 1:32).

God was about to do something GREAT in Mary’s life, and I’m convinced He wants to do something great in your life as well. But perhaps you are skeptical, just as Mary was: “How can this be?” she asked (Luke 1:34).

Mary knew that God’s incredible promises to her were impossible without a miracle, and Gabriel explained how the miracle would occur: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you” (Luke 1:35).

In a similar way, God wants His power to “overshadow” whatever difficult situation you’re facing today. A health crisis? A family conflict? A financial setback? No matter what you are dealing with, God can give you victory through His supernatural favor.

“But David,” you may be thinking, “my problems are so severe I doubt even God can help me!”

Mary must have felt the same way. That’s why Gabriel told her this amazing truth…

“With God NOTHING will be impossible!”

When the Bible says nothing is impossible with God, it means NOTHING. So go ahead and pray BIG prayers for your Christmas miracle! But as you pray, make sure to listen for God’s instructions, as Mary did. “Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). You see, God wanted to do miracles in Mary’s life, but it was crucial for her to submit her life to Him and obey His directives.

So let me ask you two vital questions this Christmas season:

• What miracle do you need in your life?
• What step of faith and obedience is the Lord asking you to DO?

Pause for a moment and consider the answer to these questions. Be specific about what you need from God—and ask Him to give you specific directions on how to unlock your miracle breakthrough.

The Sower and the Savior

As you celebrate the birth of Jesus, remember this remarkable truth: God is a GIVER! “God so loved the world that He GAVE…” (John 3:16). The King of the entire universe cares enough about YOU that He can’t wait to shower you with blessings.

The Bible also reveals our Heavenly Father as a SOWER, who Sowed His beloved Son as an incredible Seed that would transform human history:

Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain (John 12:24).

God knew that if He gave His precious Son as a Seed of love, there would be a Harvest of “much grain” and countless Souls saved for eternity. You are part of that Harvest!

This great Harvest of Souls still continues today! Having Sown His Son, the Father now has many sons and daughters. And every time we Sow the Gospel through our prayers, testimonies, and financial Seeds, we become joyful reapers and partakers in the End-time Harvest.

I encourage you this Christmas to look beyond the manger scenes and tinsel to the greatest gift of all: the gift your Heavenly Father gave you in His Son. And as you open your presents, I pray that the wonderful gift of His presence will be with you in a special way. That is truly the greatest Christmas miracle of all!

Your friend and partner to reach the Lost,