Are you living with a dream? Something that God has put inside of you, hasn’t yet become a reality? 

In the Christmas story, we read that when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. 

‘Mary was greatly troubled at the angel’s words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be’ Luke 1:29 

Listen carefully to the angel’s response:  

‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus’ Luke 1:30-31 

The angel explains to Mary that she is going to give birth to a son. God inside of her will grow over nine months, she will have swollen legs, sweaty brow, feel uncomfortable, be unable to sleep, then will have to push and push until eventually, she gives birth! God planted the seed and over time Mary gave birth to the Son of God. 

Is there something inside of you that God wants to birth this Christmas? Something small that God planted inside of you that NOW is the time to push! Christmas could be the time for you to push! 

So often we pray and think ‘God do something’ and then just wait for it to happen... Rarely is that the way God works. God puts dreams inside of us and when the time comes YOU have to give birth! Push through the confusion, discomfort, fear, pain and uncertainty. 

It doesn’t matter what people think or where the dream begins – remember Jesus was born in a stable in the humblest of beginnings alongside donkeys and cattle.  

Is it time this Christmas for you to push? To see dreams, passions, God-given talents and gifts that have been inside you for so long come out! Bring to life what is inside of you, planted there by God’s Holy Spirit!  

Written by Mark Waterfield – Pastor at Hope Church Newham