Get the appLove God Greatly - the Savior Who Comes Near: A Study on the Nearness of God From the Manger to the CrossSample
Week 1 / He Came Near in the Manger (The Miracle of Christ’s Birth)
A Message for Mary
Read: Luke 1:26-38
SOAP: Luke 1:30-33
"So the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God! Listen: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.” (NET)
Into the Text
Out of all the young women in the world, God chose Mary. She was a young girl from a small town. She could have easily been overlooked by others but not by God. Instead, Mary found favor in God's eyes. And even though she wasn't perfect, God knew that she trusted Him. In His grace and love, He chose her.
Before the angel revealed God’s miraculous plan to Mary and before fears or doubts could rise in her heart, God wanted to make sure Mary knew this one truth—He was near.
The message the angel shared would not only change Mary's life, it would change the world. The long-awaited Messiah, the hope of generations, was coming. And not just in spirit but in flesh as a baby. God, in the person of Jesus Christ, was stepping into our world, choosing to live in our brokenness and rescuing us from our sin. He was coming near.
And He still does.
Friend, let Mary's story remind you that God sees you. He delights in using the humble, the willing, the trusting, and the ordinary. His nearness is not based on your perfection but on His love. He comes near to you, just as He came near to Mary. That's what love does—it draws close. It enters and transforms everything.
That is our Christmas miracle. God with us. Emmanuel.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for seeing me and being near. Even when I feel small or overlooked, you know my name. Help me trust you as Mary did and rest in your nearness today. Amen.
Scripture
About this Plan
In a world that often feels cold, chaotic, and distant, this study brings us back to what our hearts long for most—a Savior who draws near. From the cradle to the cross to the promise of His return, Jesus has always come close. Not to condemn but to rescue. Not to remain distant but to dwell with us. In this Bible study, you’ll journey through key passages of Scripture that reveal the nearness of Christ at His birth, in His mission to save sinners, through His sacrifice on the cross, and in the hope of His glorious return.
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