by Charleen Burghardt
During Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas, I usually read an Advent devotional. This year, I read The Women of Christmas: Experience the Season Afresh with Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna by Liz Curtis Higgs. She took a thorough analysis of Elizabeth, John the Baptist’s mother; Mary, the mother of Jesus; and Anna, the prophetess. The book refreshed my memory and also offered new insights into these women. The story of Jesus’ birth begins with women, and I realized how vital women were in the birth of Christ.
Elizabeth, Mary and Anna
Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna were not well-known, not wealthy, or exceptionally gifted. They were ordinary women with questions, weaknesses, and, for Elizabeth and Anna, up in years. The other, Mary, was very young. God used them because of their devotion and obedience. In their weakness, God’s power came through in their lives, and God used them to change human history. Three faithful women helped to bring Christ into the world.
Ordinary Women
To relate this to us, God uses us in our limitations. It’s not about our goodness, intelligence, or even our gifts. All we need is obedience and faithfulness. God can use you.
God uses us with our limitations
The Apostle Paul petitioned God about his thorn in the flesh, which was a limitation or weakness. We don’t know what that was, but Paul trusted God’s more than adequate grace to compensate for his weakness.” But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”weakness.”
Christ is strong in our weakness!
Because of this, we can rely on God’s grace to be sufficient. It is adequate and complete in us when we follow him. I rely on this verse because I feel inadequate to serve God often. We can trust, Christ will give us what we need. You can rely on God’s grace and strength.
Sufficient Grace
Christ came into a messy world. He was born in a crude stable, not a palace. The stable had smelly animals in it. Christ came into our mess to walk among us, to walk with humankind. “The Lord chose to be born into poverty, to identify with the unseen of society -the unkempt, the unpopular, the undernourished. His earthly parents had nothing the world counts as valuable.” (The Women of Christmas, p. 126).
Christ Entered a Messy World
Christ Enters Our Messy World
Today, Christ comes into our messy world with all the brokenness. Whatever that be: strained relationships, economic hardships, debilitating illness, loss, or the inability to overcome a persistent sin. Our sins, our choices, others’ choices, or unfortunate circumstances all contribute to this fallen, messy world. Whatever the brokenness, Jesus is with us, redeeming our failures. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Jesus is with us in our mess. That is what Emmanuel means–God with us.
Emmanuel
We can rejoice that our Savior comes into our lives, no matter what is happening. He enters regardless of our weakness, mess, or brokenness.
This time of year invites reflection on both the past year and the upcoming one. As I look at 2025, I asked myself, “What have I learned about God this year?” It is an interesting question because it shows how far we have grown.
One of the significant things I learned is to be more aware of God’s presence. I attended a retreat and learned to be still in nature. When I quieted myself, I often heard God speak through a Scripture or whisper in my spirit. Being intentional about stilling myself opened me up to listen. I’m finding I am more peaceful and aware of the holy.
God Speaks When We Are Still
Furthermore, I learn daily to converse with God as I go about my activities. I include him in my driving by praying for others’ needs. When I see someone in the store, I lift them up in prayer. I tell God about how I am doing or what I am doing. I found it freeing and calming. At night, I read Enjoying the Presence of God: Discovering Intimacy with God in the Daily Rhythms of Life by Jan Johnson. This book helps me discover intimacy with God.
I’ve learned God will come close when we stop and listen. He wants to commune with us. Take time to be intentionally quiet and open to God coming close.
Reflection for you:
- What have you learned about God in 2025?
- What do you want to learn about God in 2026?
Prayer:
Dear Sufficient God,
You came into my messy world to redeem me. Take my weaknesses and use them for your glory. Be strong and present in my life. Help me learn to include you in all that I do and to listen. Thank you for what you have taught me this year.
Amen.
Grace Offers Hope,
My new book: Where Hope Rises: 60 Devotions for Walking Through Grief with God.
This book walks beside you as a chaplain would. Also great as a gift for someone who has lost.
Printed book link
Kindle Link
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