Learning from Mary - A Very Beautiful Christmas

Whether you identify with a specific date or not, the birth of Christ is significant to every believer. We only received the life of Christ because He came to us and that is why it is a good thing to celebrate Christ's birth.

The above topic dropped into my thoughts while perusing through a Christmas-themed Bible plan.

Mary, renowned as Jesus Christ’s mother, was an engaged virgin when visited by the Angel 

Her role revealed to us that the Christmas season is all about doing the impossible. Mary stands as a living example of turning impossibility into possibility.

It also revealed to us that, in moments when we are going through a situation that seems beyond control, repair, or rescue, placing faith in the Almighty God becomes the transformative factor.

Read: The History of Father Christmas (Santa Claus)

A person whose faith rests in God can be compared to fertile soil, where the Holy Spirit resides, cultivating powerful faith through His Word, just like Mary's experience. 

Despite foreseeing the challenging implications of becoming a single parent and facing uncertainties, Mary placed her trust in God, recognizing that navigating such a significant step demanded substantial faith.

Although Mary may not grasp the full scope of the situation, she acknowledges a broader perspective. Recognizing that the One who singled her out among others holds every detail and puzzle piece, she rests in the assurance of God's love and guidance.

It's important to note that God did not choose Mary based on her deeds but because of her willingness to receive guidance from His heart. Additionally, the story of Mary reminds us that not every seemingly hopeless situation leads to despair. Just as in her narrative, believing in the transformative power of the One who can overturn circumstances can usher in a positive turn of events.

Let's emulate Mary. Our response to God's call should consistently be, "Yes, Lord." In the face of fear-inducing challenges, let it propel us to wait in His presence, draw close to Him, meditate on His Words, and listen to His voice. In Him, all that is seemingly impossible is made possible.

‘Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:38 NKJV”

The Oxford Dictionary defines learning as "To acquire or attempt to acquire knowledge or an ability to do something." Learning also is defined as "Accumulated knowledge." This means a collection of knowledge.

A child's stages of development and growth start with learning. He or she learned how to crawl, stand, and then walk. Their first words or speech are born out of learning.

Learning is the most important aspect of growth. Learning can be produced from anything, and it has no end. A writer put it this way: "We are a totality of what we have learned from all who taught us, both great and small."

The reason we have those who have gone before us in that field (that is, career, skills, or study) is for us to learn from them.

For example, a writer must first learn from other writers by reading their content. Before he or she finds a niche, there is an opportunity to explore every style of writing.

In the process of exploring, the learning mode is activated. You learn and unlearn. You learn from their experiences, mistakes, and successes. Every success story has a process, and you can enter into this process by learning.

A gospel musician's success will not just depend on his or her ability. With prayers and learning from other gospel musicians, he or she can be better at singing.

It's good to be able to write your own songs, but it's also good to learn songs from other gospel musicians. Study those things that make people love them. Find out the things that make them stand out.

In addition to this, when you learn from their good parts, you also get to see where they got it wrong. The things they've done wrong and the actions they took that had a negative impact on what they represent.

You learn from their mistakes so as not to have a repeat from your end, and you learn from the part that makes them stand out so that you can be exceptional.

The change you desire can only begin when you finally decide to embrace learning. You don't have to struggle to stand when you have the opportunity to watch others get up.

Sometimes, when we remember the mistakes we've made in the past, we tend to become embarrassed by them. But if we look away from the side of embarrassment and focus on the things we've learned from those experiences, we would be grateful for the process of learning.

As youths, there are mistakes that we will make, and there are lessons to learn from each mistake.  If we are determined to learn from our mistakes and the mistakes of others, it will lessen our ability to make more mistakes and increase our ability to be better.

There is a reason why we have the Bible, and there is a reason why stories were written. There is a reason why both sides of the story were written for us to read. It's for us to learn from them and also apply them.

Solomon's story would have ended when he became king. However, the Bible went further to disclose what happened when he did not have to fight battles like his father. He had rest on all sides. But the rest became his undoing; he gathered many wives that led him astray because he did not have to fight battles.

Emphasis would have been placed only on Samson's status as a strong man with the spirit of God. But the Bible also shows us how a strong man can be defeated. Stories like these and lots more were written for us to learn from them.

The reason why the Bible reveals the good and bad sides of each story is for us to learn from them. If we do our part to gain knowledge, the Holy Ghost will enlighten our minds, give us directions, and add light to our learning.

"If you stop learning, you will forget what you already know." Proverbs 19:27 CEV

"A wise man will hear and increase in learning,

And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel," Proverbs 1:5 NKJV.

"Take learning in your hands; do not let her go; keep her, for she is your life." Proverbs 4:13 BBE

"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we, through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope." Romans 15:4 NKJV

"The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:9 NKJV

Conclusion

This year, please take out time to reflect on the essence of Salvation even as you bask in the wealth of food, drinks and laughter with friends and family. We wish you a very Merry Christmas from all of us at the New Man Movement. We also pray that you have an excellent and fulfilling new year ahead! 

Nelson Vincent

Lead Director, 

New Man Movement