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The Christmas Story is full of incredible characters: Mary, Joseph, Jesus, Shepherds, Wise Men, Herod, the Inn Keeper, Elizabeth and the Angels. I've read the story numerous times, but something that recently rocked my world was the sheer fact that Mary was pregnant with Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus Christ is in her! God is working in her! Let that sink in! Now consider an additional truth.

In the song "O Little Town of Bethlehem" we sing:

O Holy Child of Bethlehem

Descend to us, we pray

Cast out our sin and enter in

Be born in us today

Cast out our sin, and what? Enter in! Be what? Born in us today! How often have we sung this song of salvation and skipped over this verse? What an incredible image! When we sing this song, we are verbally rejoicing in what we have prayed. "God forgive me of my sin and cast it out of me. God, enter me today. Come into my life."  That is our repenting prayer, right?  

What God did with Mary, and in Mary, He is doing in us! When we admit that we are sinners, and believe that only God can forgive us, we confess with our mouths that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Lord. God forgives us and sends His Holy Spirit to enter in us! God the flesh in Mary, God the Spirit in us!  Or as Scripture declares: Christ in me (Galatians 2:20)!

If this is true, which it is, then it should change how we live! When a woman becomes pregnant, she makes lifestyle choices to help, not harm the child. When a young couple discovers they are having a child, one of the emotions they experience is excitement and joy.  In the same way, with the Holy Spirit in us, it should change our lifestyle and fill us with hope and joy. Joy! To celebrate and express our emotions gladly and ecstatically. 

God's Spirit is in you. Let Him change you! Let His peace remove your anxiety! Let His hope remove your depression! Let His love cast out your fears! Let His joy shine through you.