Introduction:

Have you heard the story about a Sunday School teacher who bought a little crèche, a nativity scene, and opened it piece by piece before the eyes of the little ones in her primary class? She placed each figure before the children, the shepherd and then his sheep. The eyes sparkled and the excitement grew. All of a sudden, one boy no longer able to contain himself, shook his head and asked, what I would like to know is, where Does God Fit In?" To him, the baby in the manger, did not look like God.

That is certainly a thought provoking question for all of us to consider everyday, and especially as we get ready for Christmas. One passage that sheds some light on this question gives the report of the angel, Gabriel, appearing to Mary and telling her that she is to become the mother of the Son of God. From this account I believe that we might answer the question, "Where does God fit in?" with these replies: Challenging Us, Comforting Us, and Conforming Us. Before the event for the observance of Christmas had even taken place, Mary is illustrating these answers.

I. Challenging Us.

An angel, who had been sent from God to visit with her, visited Mary. To have such a visitor could be challenging enough, but what he had to say was even more challenging. Gabriel greeted Mary, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." In the N.I.V. we read, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." In the very next verse we see that Mary was troubled at these words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. The challenging message continues. Mary is told that she is to conceive in her womb, and bear a son, who will also be the Son of God. She is to name Him Jesus.

Previously Mary has been described as a young woman, a virgin, who is engaged to a man named Joseph. Unlike some women of our days, Mary knew that she had been morally pure. She had not engaged in sexual relations with her fiancé or any other man. She had found favor with God and God is giving her a unique challenge.

While Mary's specific challenge was not to be repeated, we too, might answer, "Where does God fit in?" that He is challenging us. He challenges us to be holy and morally pure. He may give us some tasks to do that seem impossible for us. Regardless of how difficult an assignment might appear to us, God may challenge us. God calls us to live for Him and to share the glorious news of His transforming power. We are challenged to use our abilities, talents and even our weaknesses to serve our Lord.

II. Comforting Us.

After troubling Mary with his greeting, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." Gabriel seeks to bring comfort to Mary. He says to her, "Do not be afraid." Gabriel then repeats the loving affirmation that she has found favor with God. It is after these words of comfort that Mary is told that she will bear a Son named Jesus. Following a description of the Son, Mary asked Gabriel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" More comforting words are given, trying to gently describe what God will do to bring forth his Son through her.

Further comforting takes place as Gabriel gave Mary the wonderful news that her relative, Elizabeth has conceived a son in her old age, then telling her "For nothing will be impossible with God."

We may not always be thinking of the Nativity as the little boy was when we ask, "Where does God fit in?" We may look at circumstances that trouble us and we too may wonder, "How can this be...?" Again and again we find ourselves in situations where we need to experience God comforting us.

III. Conforming Us

Perhaps this third response to the question, "Where does God fit in?" does not seem quite as obvious, but it is extremely important.

Gabriel gave Mary a marvelous description of this Son that she was to bear. "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end." Wow! What a Son she will mother. Before He is conceived and before she spends years nurturing this precious little child, she knows that He is the Son of God, the King of Kings.

"Where does God fit in?" God fits in conforming her as a faithful subject of the Lord.

Listen to her response, "Behold, I am the Lord's servant; be it done to me according to Your word." Mary, who had already found favor in the eyes of God, was willing to further conform to what God had spoken through His angel. While God and she knew that she had been sexually pure, she could be scorned and thought of as being promiscuous. When she conformed to God's plan she did not yet know how her fiancé would take this news either. Of course, she also knew that was not going to be an ordinary child. How could she even begin to imagine what was ahead?

How do we answer the question, "Where does God fit in?" Do we do so with these responses: Challenging Us and Comforting Us. Then we should also allow God to be at work Conforming Us. Certainly that will involve different circumstances for us than for Mary, but are you willing to say, "Lord, I am your servant. Do as you please with my life?"

Conclusion

Oswald Hoffman wrote, "Where Does God Fit In? He fits in at the most difficult places. He fits in where you don't think He belongs. The magnificent God has to be part of your ordinary life or He has no part at all. The glory of God is that he appears and takes His place as a baby that looks so ordinary."

Where does God fit in for you? Where do you invite God to fit in?

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