In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But 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.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. (Luke 1:26-38)

Christmas can take on numerous meanings, but the truth is, Christmas represents the beginning of God’s personal encounter with mankind. God came to Earth in the flesh, lived victoriously among us and conquered death. We should celebrate Christmas every day because not only did Jesus choose to interact with us, He gave us the Holy Spirit who is with us all the time.

So, how can we encounter God and walk and talk with Him daily? According to Luke 1:37, we can fully rely on God’s Word, for it will never fail. As Mary said, let it be done according to His will, for with, God nothing is impossible.

God knows your address.

God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary’s home. When you live in God’s purpose, He will send His angels to you. The encounter happens where you live.

God knows how obedience to Him can impact your life.

God chose Mary to fulfill His purpose. When God chooses you, it affects your personally and the people around you. God does not bless us just for our own benefit.

God knows that you are afraid.

It is quite normal to react with uncertainty as Mary did, but do not be afraid, for you have found favor with God. Verse 35 says that the Holy Spirit came and overshadowed Mary. God is with us in all our circumstances.

We need to believe God’s word.

Jesus works every day, not only on Christmas Day. What happens when we don’t believe?

The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” (Luke 1:19-20)

Evidence causes us to believe with our natural minds, but we need to have faith to believe in the Spirit. We must choose to believe God at His Word that with Him, nothing is impossible.

Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” (Mark 9:21-25)

Like the father of the demon-possessed boy, we need to confess our unbelief to God, and ask for His help.