“The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:30-33
It was an ordinary day. Mary probably got up, made herself some breakfast. While she was eating, she may have been making a list of the preparations for her wedding with Jospeh. Perhaps she finished up her dishes and went out to do the laundry. That’s where the ordinary day ended. Her life just became extraordinary.
“Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21
It was an ordinary day. Joseph might have been out in his shop, making a table for his neighbor. Can you see him finishing the fine edges with pride? Happy for the sale as he prepared for his marriage to Mary. That’s where the ordinary day ended. His extraordinary obedience gave him a peek of the future glory.
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12
It was an ordinary night. The shepherds were with their sheep, keeping a watchful eye out for predators. Perhaps tonight was the night they had to move to find better foliage for the sheep to eat. That’s where the ordinary night ended. They were about to lay eyes on the extraordinary face of the savior.
It was an ordinary day. People all over the world were getting up and doing the things they do every morning. Washing up, eating, getting ready for whatever duties they had that day. Unbeknownst to them, this day was anything but ordinary. It would be years before the world understood this was the birthday of a King, a Savior.
A baby boy came into the world like any other baby does. But this was no ordinary birth, this baby would be born simply to die, ensuring humanity’s eternity. His extraordinary birth fulfilled the law and gave God’s people a new freedom.
Mary was just an ordinary girl, with the same hopes and dreams of other girls her age. She became the extraordinary mother of a king, our savior.
Joseph was just an ordinary man, trying to live a good life. His extraordinary obedience gives us hope in humanity.
The shepherds were just ordinary young men keeping the sheep in line. They had the extraordinary experience of being the first to hear about the Messiah.
God used all of these ordinary people to show an extravagant love in an extraordinary way. He knows we cannot be the holy people He made us to be without a sacrifice. He chose to send His Son, Jesus the Messiah, to come as a baby so He could be that sacrifice that allows us to live in the holiness God intended.
What kind of day did you have? Did it seem ordinary? My friend, the day Jesus died on that cross you became extraordinary. The amazing sacrifice made by that once baby boy shows an extravagant love that makes you chosen, loved and free.
This Christmas as we celebrate the ordinary turned extraordinary, remember that. Because right in the midst of all the celebration is the gift of eternity; the most expensive gift you will ever receive.
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