Christmas Morning: Son Rise on a New DaySample

What if you could time-travel to some point in the future to check in on “future you”? If you are currently experiencing trouble at home, difficulties at work, or financial insecurities, what if you could fast-forward the clock and see a vision of the future?

Imagine you are on the verge of a divorce, or have a child who is estranged, and you zoom into the future and see your happy family united and enjoying an evening meal.

How would seeing those future realities change your perspective on today?

In Luke 2:5, we bounce to a time when Joseph is still betrothed to Mary and they are traveling TOGETHER, soon to celebrate the arrival of Mary’s child. This picture would have been very special for Mary to see after Gabriel visited her back in Nazareth. She learns she is carrying the Son of God, but soon after realizes that Joseph is considering divorce - “What Child is this, anyway?” If only Mary could have seen this unexpected trip to Bethlehem on the verge of the delivery of her child WITH JOSEPH, her heart might have been at ease.

Here, though, lies the challenge. You don’t have future vision to see your family a few years from now, and neither did Mary! We face the moments in our lives without the clarity of what tomorrow will hold. Or do we?

Though Mary did not know how things would work out with Joseph, she knew that she had “found favor with God,” that “God was with her,” and that her child would be the “Son of the Most High” who would have a kingdom “with no end” (Luke 1:28-33). Therefore, she need not be afraid. She knew enough and was asked to trust God with the uncertainty.

The same is true for you and me. Though an angel has not visited us, the Son of God did come to our planet, and the Holy Spirit inspired the writing of the Bible. In the Scripture, we see a beautiful picture of a coming kingdom we are invited to be a part of, where every tear is dried and every soul in Him is comforted. We also know that God is with all believers as His Spirit resides in our lives.

Therefore, like Mary, we know enough and are asked to trust God with the uncertainty.