1. The Simple Faith of Christmas
#2 :Mary: Faith for Enlistment AM

2. Who are the people of faith in the Christmas story?
The Simple Faith of Christmas
Mary – Luke 1: Faith for Enlistment
Joseph – Mathew 1, 2 - Faith for Enablement
Elizabeth – Luke 1: Faith for Encouragement
Zacharias – Luke 1:67-80 – Faith for Exposition (unveiling)
Shepherds – Luke 2:8-20 – Faith for Evangelism
Wise men – Matthew 2 – Faith for Expedition
Simeon – Luke 2:25-35 – Faith for Enlightenment
Anna – Luke 2:36-38 – Faith for Endurance (faithfulness)
Which faith describes you?

3. Mary: Faith for Enlistment
Matthew
bio’s Joseph’s part in the Christmas Story
Matthew Chapter 1 outlines Joseph’s family tree
Luke
follows Mary’s part in the Christmas Story
Luke Chapter 3 outlines Mary’s family tree
Luke 1:26-38
Vs. 28 – Highly favored – (filled with grace)
Vs. 30 – Fear not, Mary: for you have found favor…
Vs. 31 – conceive…bring forth … call
Vs. 34 – How…I know not…
Vs. 35 – the answer

4. Vs. 38 – Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it unto me according to thy word.
Vs. 45 – Blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
Vs. 46 – My soul does magnify the Lord
Vs. 47 – My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
Vs. 48 – the low estate of his handmaiden Psalm 136:23
Vs has done to me great things…
Vs. 50 – His mercy…
Several places the actions of God are described as a strong deliverer.

5. Mary is enlisted as a volunteer in God’s wonderful Christmas plan.
It took:
The Wisdom and sovereign choice of the Lord
The absolute humility of Mary
The reliance of Mary on His mighty ability
The clear obedience and complete cooperation of Mary
It resulted in:
A testimony
A calm and joyful worship
A trust in the midst of the coming storms