This week, I would like to share with you the story of the “Three wise women of Christmas”. It is pastor Rick Warren’s message on Sunday Dec 15, 2019. He focused on 3 wise women instead of the 3 wise men and other characters that we often hear from the Christmas story.
The first wise woman of Christmas is Elizabeth. She was the wife of a priest named Zechariah and mother of John the Baptist. Her story is found in Luke 1:5-25, 55-66. She and her husband were both old and had no children. Elizabeth could have been bitter due to being childless. She was blessed with John the Baptist because she chose to trust God’s plan instead of being bitter.
The second wise woman of Christmas is Mary. She was a young virgin and engaged to Joseph. Her story is found in Luke 1:26-56. Mary was frightened and confused when she heard from God’s angel Gabriel that she has been chosen for a special blessing - to be mother of Jesus. She was blessed because she chose to believe God’s words instead of her fears.
The third wise woman of Christmas is Anna. She was a very old prophetess and a widow most of her life. She stayed in the temple day and night, worshiping God with prayers and fasting. Her story is found in Luke 2:36-38. Anna was blessed because she chose to redirect her loss to focus on God’s presence and then talk to everyone about Jesus.
In this special Christmas season, may all of us be blessed because we choose to believe in Jesus and in God’s words... Merry Christmas!