Bible Reading: Luke 1:26-38 & Luke 2:1-20
Dear Friends And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38 ESV)
Christmas is here and this passage from Luke will be read countless times today. Let us learn from Mary as we read it. An angel appears with world changing news, and not just for those who profess Jesus as Lord and Saviour; but in a very real, very immediate sense for Mary. It is all too easy to simply gloss over this. But consider for a moment, what did Mary really say?
Let’s unpack her response. She said: I understand my future husband can divorce me for being unfaithful even though I wasn’t. I understand people in my town will think I am a woman who sleeps around though I’m not. I understand nobody will believe me when I tell them this pregnancy is a miracle (would you?).
She is saying I understand my child will be looked upon as illegitimate his entire life in our town. I understand I won’t get to first enjoy my new life with my husband, but will immediately have a baby to care for. This could not have been an easy response for Mary. People were not going to look at her and exclaim, “What a Godly woman!” No, they would mock her and say bad things of her, and unjustly at that.
While Mary isn’t someone we should worship, she is a shining light leading us toward a simple yet confident faith. A faith that first says, “Whatever God wishes in my life he can do, for I exist to bring him glory and fulfill his purpose, not the other way around. And I am confident that he will work it all out for my good (Romans 8:28) and his glory.”
Mary becomes for us the model disciple, bending her will to God’s will. She is willing to walk a path with God when she is unable to see that path’s end. Because of her faith, this young woman plays a role in God’s plan of salvation for the world. Through the centuries Mary has acquired numerous titles, many of which are not used by Protestants. But there is one title that comes to us from the Eastern Church which deserves our consideration. She is referred to as the Theotokos, which literally means God-bearer. Like Mary, you and I have been called to bring God to the world in the gospel message of Jesus Christ. May our answer to God’s call be as gracious as Mary’s:
Today, join Mary in responding, “let it be” God.
Think about the importance of this day in human history. After Mary said “yes” to Gabriel’s message, earth and heaven were changed forever. God enters human history in the womb of a young woman in Nazareth. God loves humanity enough to lay aside his glory, and take on human flesh. God, the creator of the entire universe, becomes a fragile, helpless embryo. This is the moment of the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ. Jesus was not born and then had some God added to him later. The incarnation was made possible and began with the “yes” of Mary.
Wishing you all and your loved ones a blessed Christmas!
Solomzi