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

5 Reasons why you should Celebrate Christ's Birth

 

 3 Things you should know about Christmas

Jingle bells! Jingle bells! 

 

The season is here again. Everyone is proudly decked in their caps and brand-new attires; all awaiting Santa to bestow the gift of the season on them and in the process, enjoy some entertainment with friends and family. But, was that all that Christmas was created to be for? No! You say. Of course, it is to celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ and then, you go ahead to act in a stage drama of Jesus being born in a manger and wrapped with swaddling clothes, sing Silent Night, and set off fireworks to depict the happiness of the season. But, what is the real significance of Christmas that no one ever told you about? Why do we have this celebration?

 

1. Christ's Birth is the fulfilment of Prophecy

For every prophecy, there is a corresponding manifestation and one of the major scriptures that proclaims the coming of Jesus Christ can be found in Isaiah 9:6-7, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgement and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." This shows us the fact that the birth of Jesus was a gift and a gift has the unique feature in that it had to be received which was why an angel was sent to Mary, who, as an unmarried, young lady bent her will to align with the will of God (Luke 1:38, "And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.").

2. Christ's Birth is God's Gift to the World

The arrival of Jesus Christ as a gift to this world helps the believer to understand that He was given as a gift to you and you must accept Him to enjoy vitally all that has been provided for you legally. Sadly, if you do not understood the purpose of a gift, you will abuse such gift - either by under-using or over-using it. Today, many people have accepted this gift of Christ but are still undermining the essence. This is why a person can be a believer and remain broke, sick and failing in life. Christ has been given to you and He wasn't given as a defeated Christ, the victorious Christ was who was gifted to you which means that you should reign in life - it's not an option, neither is it a suggestion, it is a command. Christmas is celebrated to remind you over and over again that Christ is always there for you to call. The Bible calls Him the Prince of peace - that name wasn't placed there so you could cram a thousand names of God but so you could see Christ as the leader of your wholeness and completeness. This is why you should not take academic failure as normal, death as being okay or being sick as a way of life. The birth of Jesus has earmarked the beginning of a life where you enjoy shalom - nothing missing and nothing broken.

3. Christmas reminds you that all good things are for you

Christmas also exists to remind you that all good things are yours to enjoy. The secret to having extraordinary happenings in life just like the virgin Mary did was to have the gift of Christ. Remembering and celebrating helps you to understand more deeply as the years go by that God is the one responsible for your fruitfulness and unceasing multiplication. Celebrating Christmas also helps you remember the fact that although men might have tagged a phenomenon impossible, with God, nothing shall be made impossible. So, probably in the last few months, you had been diagnosed with glaucoma, cancer or any medical condition and medicine has told you there's no other way than death, the birth of Christ is your assurance and hope that nothing shall be impossible. Yours might have been an academic or work challenge and there seem to be no other solution than to drop out or get sacked, Christmas being celebrated is a reminder that your advantage is in the fact that you have received a gift from God Himself and that gift has automatically brought God to your side as a mighty terrible one.

So, dear believer, as you celebrate this season, remember, the secret you had never been told was that God is on your side! He moved to your side because you received the gift of Jesus Christ when you became saved. This is also our official wish of a Merry Christmas to you from all of us at the New Man Movement.

Shalom!