December 3. What if I said that this picture is an artist’s rendition of a Christmas tree? Some people may question my definition of artist; others may consider it abstract art worthy of consideration; and a few may think this artist needs to wean herself from controlled substances and find a new art instructor.

What if I then revealed that the artist was a 6-year-old girl with Down syndrome who had never drawn a Christmas tree before? Most would celebrate her accomplishment, admire the recognizable shape of the tree, or perhaps wonder why the tree seems to be barricaded at the bottom (see December 1 post).

What if I then shared that this artist drew her creation in black crayon on the family room wall? Some may laugh hysterically; others would empathize with her mom; and a few may wonder to themselves, “Who was watching this child?”

One picture. Three very distinct perspectives. All containing elements of truth but none complete in isolation.

When Lydia created this masterpiece on our wall yesterday, I began thinking of all the ways I could view the situation—frustration at the sibling who gave her the crayon, dread over the effort it will take to clean it, pride for her developing skill, and guilt over my neglect all came to mind.

This morning, however, God showed me how He could use this experience to teach me another Advent lesson (Yes, He truly can work all things together for good!). He brought to mind the earliest events of the Christmas story. In Luke, Chapter 1, an angel appears to Mary and says these words: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:30-33, ESV)

World changing words. Eternity changing words. And for young, teenage Mary, life-changing words. Her reaction? How can this be? I am engaged to be married, but I have never been with a man? (see verses 27 and 34)

And her fiancée Joseph’s? What in the world? This virgin I am supposed to marry is pregnant? This will disgrace her. I must call it off! (see Matthew 1:18-19)

While the Bible does not specifically tell us, any parent can imagine Mary’s parents’ responses—disbelief, sadness, embarrassment, possibly anger.

But when God gave Mary and Joseph His perspective on their situations, everything changed.

The angel Gabriel told Mary: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:35-37)

And Mary replied: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)

An angel also appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him: “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20b-21)

Verses 22-23 tell us that “[w]hen Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.”

Without God’s perspective, our vision is always distorted just as Mary and Joseph’s were at first. But how do we receive His perspective when angels do not appear to clarify for us? The Triune God has provided three types of “corrective lenses” for our faulty vision. We can hold the situations in our lives and in our culture up to God’s Holy Word. We can discern through the conviction of the Holy Spirit that lives within us. And because Christ gave us access to a righteous Father, we can speak directly to Him in prayer. I never see in full when I look with my own eyes, but I can trust that God always sees a complete picture—even if it is drawn in black crayon on a family room wall.

Lord, Thank You that I, a sinful human, can see with Your eyes. Please teach me to always use the truth of Your Word, the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and my direct access to You through prayer as corrective lenses for my faulty vision. Let me always pursue Your perspective on situations I encounter whether in my own life or in the news. Let me trust You even when my limited humanity prevents me from seeing a complete picture. In Your Son’s name I pray, Amen.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105, ESV)

“But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him’—these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. “ (1 Corinthians 2:9-10, ESV)

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:4, ESV)