What does it mean to have a Mary Christmas? Luke 2:5 says “He (Joseph) went there (to Bethlehem) to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.” Think about it, Mary was literally carrying Jesus on this painfully long Journey. Joe didn’t walk her out to the SUV and make her as comfortable as possible. I’m sure you ladies can imagine being in the 3^rd trimester of pregnancy and riding on a donkey almost 100 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. It was long, it was hard, and it was extremely uncomfortable. She was miserable, but she did have Christ growing inside of her.

Let me start with those who are on a long, hard road right now.  Some of you have given your life to God and things just are not all that great.  Maybe you’re more hurt than excited that it’s Christmas time.  Maybe you’ve lost loved ones. Maybe you never had a real family to celebrate the holidays.  Jesus flat out tells us that in this world we will have trouble, but He also tells us that He has overcome the world.  Your life, like Mary’s, might be very uncomfortable ride right now.  Fortunately, we know the rest of the story!

If you have asked Jesus to forgive you for your sins, you have Him growing in YOU! You are the one carrying Him on this journey called life! Is He growing in you? Can you feel Him move inside you? Is it obvious to the people you love that you are pregnant with the King of Kings? Galatians 4:19 says “My dear children for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.” Is He forming in you? Let me tell you how you can know.

When a woman get’s pregnant, her appetites change. She may want pickles and ice cream or something crazy like that. When you truly get saved, you want the Bible, praise and worship music, preaching tapes, Christian books, devotionals, and simply to hang out with other people that love Jesus…basically, you want what the world would say is “crazy stuff like that.”

The pregnancy progresses, and there comes a point when she feels the baby start to move. She tells everyone to “come and see,” “come and feel,” “experience this NEW LIFE inside of me.” In a similar way, time goes by after you get saved and God starts to move in your life. Have you told somebody that you have NEW LIFE in you? Have you told them that life hasn’t been the same since He came into your heart?  If you tell them what is going on inside of you, many will probably think you are crazy.  You eventually get to the point where you don’t care, the new life is far better than man’s approval.

This leads me to my last point! After several months goes by, it’s obvious to everyone that comes into contact with a pregnant woman that she is about to give birth. The woman may try to hide it for a while, but towards the end, she just doesn’t care who knows. The baby is there and is about to come out of her. After several months of growing in the Lord, reading His word, spending time with Him, feeling Him inside you, you should get to a point where you don’t care who knows. What you have in you is so great, so powerful, so wonderful…you just want everyone to know that there is this new life pouring out of you! Let it be known that you are a child of the King!

Here’s the thing: We have some messed up thinking. We actually think if the Bible was back to being taught in school, things would change. The Bible is being taught in churches, and I would say the majority of the people in church don’t live any different than the people that don’t go at all.  We actually think if all the stores plastered “Merry Christmas” on their entrances things would be better. I hate to be the one to break the news to you…nothing would change.

Things will change when true followers of Jesus have a Mary Christmas and actually start denying themselves, carrying their crosses, and following Him. I know that cross gets heavy.  I know it is inconvenient, especially in America today.  However, I also know the rewards.  Rewards which can not be matched!

Instead of being mad about the store sign, tell people about what He has done in your life. Live like He’s actually growing inside you! Live like He is with you ALL the time, because He is! I don’t know of a single person that saw “Merry Christmas” on a department store door or window, was moved to tears, repented of their sins and became a follower of Christ.

I do know plenty of people that read or heard Luke 2:10-11 and it changed everything:

Do not be afraid, I bring you GOOD NEWS of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

Mary Christmas!

Adam