Monday, December 23

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be
married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through
the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want
to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and
said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what
is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give
him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:18-21

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of
incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the
angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife
Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to
you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the
Lord. - Luke 1:11-15

Zechariah was a man that began to doubt God, for he had prayed for a son and his
prayer was not answered. He was getting quite old, but God wrought a miracle and
Zechariah was given a son.

Many people today too have doubts and some even ask, “Where is God?” When
they hear of the tragedies, low morals, and terrible crimes being committed most
every day, their doubts increase.

The songwriter says, “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the
future,” and a poem I read encourages me, “Who trusts in God need fear no fate nor
look at life in blank despair/Keep hope alive, with patience wait and He’ll answer
every prayer.”

Minnie Rowe, (1993)