In the spirit of Christmas, I opened my Bible to Luke 1 and 2. There was so much going on before Jesus was born! This story is full of action!

I want to get into your head. Because I want you to use your imagination. Remember when we didn’t have immediate connection with other people–no FaceTime, no smart phones, no social media? No news commentaries? Go back even farther in the recesses to the times when people could ONLY access information by person-to-person, word of mouth. 

That’s what life was like in Luke’s account of the Christmas Story. We have the luxury of reading those two chapters in just a few minutes, but not having instant access to each other, the players did not share the advantage of immediately watching the story unfold before their eyes. Yet the story was unfolding although each character only knew what was going on in his or her world–and things were happening long before Jesus actually entered the stage. 

Playing a leading role, God’s most powerful angel, Gabriel, visits Zacharias the priest, and announces the coming of John, who will prepare the way for Jesus. Six months later, in another city, Gabriel visits Mary and informs her of God’s plan. She has no idea Gabriel has visited Zacharias. Zacharias has no idea of Gabriel’s visit to Mary. 

As I read the story and imagine what it would be like to have an encounter with God’s most powerful angel, it is easy to feel the fear each of the players experienced. Reassured he comes from God, both are quickly relieved of their fears, and the opportunity for faith opens up. Zacharias doubts the prophecy of the angel and suffers consequences for his unbelief. In contrast, Mary accepts the prophecy and is willing to participate with God’s plan regardless of what it means for her. 

If you’re not totally familiar with the story, it’s a quick read in the first two chapters of Luke, but it’s chock full of detail and multiple characters. You’ll encounter characters from powerful kings to lowly shepherds, supernatural powers that strike people deaf and dumb, politics and pressures, drama in the skies and in a stable.  In fact, it’s such a rich story that we’re still talking about it today, gaining new insights and discovering fresh details over 2000 years later.

What struck me this year is the fact that God is always at work, doing the things He does to make His plans happen. Zacharias was not aware that his wife’s cousin would be the virgin mother of Jesus the Messiah. Mary only knew her cousin was with child because the angel told her…six months later. All these foreshadowing details were valid parts of God’s plan.

God Works in the Backstory. 

God doesn’t seem to get in a hurry when carrying out His plans. I was reminded of the much-used phrase in Scripture: “when the fullness of time had come…” 

God Shows His Work When the Time is Right. 

And the message is so very clear. God does what God plans when God plans to do His thing. In addition, He is always doing what He does, whether it’s visible to you and me, even though we may not be aware He is doing anything. He never stops working His plan. It’s a fact He is working, whether or not I feel it or see it. 

When God is Involved, His Time is the Right Time Every Time.

Here are three passages that will encourage you to look for and wait for God’s Work:

• PAST: God worked His plan before time began – Ephesians 1:1-13
• PRESENT: God continues His work in us as we live our lives – Philippians 2:13
• FUTURE: God will always be at work in us until His work in us is complete – Philippians 1:6

Merry Christmas to you as you watch His plans unfold, whether in plain sight, or you are waiting to discover them.

 “…I’m fully convinced that the One who began this glorious work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you and will put his finishing touches to it until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 [TPT]

Join The Conversation! 

Many times I find myself missing the work of God around me. Do you more often watch God’s plans unfold, or do you tend to recognize His work after the fact?  Share your comments below :)