Life Wasn't Meant to be Easy (1)

And so, the countdown begins – just ten days until Christmas. So much to get ready, so much to get done. Are you perhaps one of these people who've  left their Christmas shopping to the last minute? Better get cracking! Depending on where you live and how you celebrate it, Christmas can be an exceedingly disruptive time. It's this kind of once-in-a-year upheaval of your routine, with the potential to bring both praise and pressure to bear all at the same time. If that somehow describes your leadup to Christmas, spare a thought for Mary in the leadup to hers: Luke 1:30-33 The angel said to her, "Don't be afraid, Mary, because God is very pleased with you. Listen! You will become pregnant and have a baby boy. You will name him Jesus. He will be great. People will call him the Son of the Most High God, and the Lord God will make him king like his ancestor David. He will rule over the people of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." Now, let's be honest, we prefer to focus on the second half of that, the coming of the Son of God into this world for thee and me. Sensational! But for Mary, this was an unexpected disruption to say the least. Her life was about to be turned upside down by a scandalous, unplanned pregnancy – out of wedlock, as it was. Perhaps you feel pressured in these days leading up to Christmas. Perhaps your life's been disrupted too. Maybe things aren't all at their best. But so often, God does His mightiest works when things are at their bleakest. His kingdom will never end. That's His Word. Fresh … for you … today.