by Ricky Chelette, Executive Director
Mary is often overlooked in the Christmas story. Of course, we acknowledge her as the mother of Jesus, and she is center stage at every Christmas pageant. Still, we seldom contemplate the incredible faith of this young girl and how her faith response can be applied to our lives today.
In the first chapter of Luke’s Gospel, the angel Gabriel appears to Mary, who is already betrothed to Joseph. His presence both frightens and intrigues her. Gabriel assures her that she need not be afraid, for she has found favor with God. We could stop there and contemplate what manner of faith and holiness this young girl must have had to be distinguished from all women of the world, but that is for another day.
An incredible encounter
The story then moves from amazing to impossible. Gabriel informs her,
“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 teh house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Lu 1:31-33).
Mary is overwhelmed and perplexed at the impossibility of this declaration; after all, she was a virgin. But Gabriel was prepared:
“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” (Lu 1:35-36).
Gabriel goes on to prove his declaration is from God by informing Mary that her barren, elderly relative, Elizabeth, has already conceived in her old age and is six months pregnant. Mary’s response is one of utter faith and trust in God. She declares, “I am a servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Lu 1:38).
Mary believed where we doubt
Mary believed something that few in our world today embrace – the Word of God. What she didn’t fully realize was that she would embrace The Word in a way that no other human had ever done. In the Gospel of John, we read that “the word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14). You see, no longer was the Word of God something heard only by the priest or the prophets and declared to the people. The Word had now left heaven and lived with humankind. What had been understood spiritually was now an ontological reality for all to see. God had become man, born of a woman, and lay in a manger as a baby.
Mary and Joseph knew that this son was the Son of God, but no one had ever raised or parented God. Mary knew only to cling to the promises Gabriel made on behalf of God and to submit her life fully to live according to God’s Word.
What would our lives look like if we lived according to God’s Word?
- Our identities would be founded not in our feelings but in the affirmations of God’s created design as male and female (Ge 1:27). In doing so, we would find a profound sense of belonging and clarity, knowing we are wonderfully made in His image.
- We would abandon the lies of the evil one who comes to kill and destroy, and embrace the truth that God wants to give us life and life abundantly (Jn 10:10). With this truth, we would experience peace and freedom, unburdened by deceit.
- We would surrender to God, knowing that the only way to truly find our best life is to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus (Mk 8:32). In this surrender, we would discover the joy and fulfilment that comes from walking in harmony with His purpose.
- We would reject the battle for more material things in favor of the satisfaction of being still and knowing that He is God (Co 3:1-2). This rejection would bring a sense of contentment and gratitude for the blessings we already have.
- We would stop the never-ending comparisons to our friends and neighbors, and realize that we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Ro 3:23). By doing so, we would foster a spirit of humility and acceptance, celebrating our shared humanity.
- We would stop defining our lives by our feelings and define them by our obedience to the Word of God and His design for us. This obedience would bring a newfound strength and resilience, enabling us to weather life’s storms with confidence.
- We would abandon our prejudices based on race, tribe, and nationality, and know that we are all created in the image of God (Ge 1:26). Embracing this truth, we would cultivate a community of love and unity that transcends all barriers.
- We would believe the impossible, embrace the miraculous, and acknowledge that we will never know all there is to know or become god ourselves. In this belief, we would find hope and wonder in the mysteries of life and a deeper trust in God’s wisdom.
We can be like Mary
We could be like Mary and know God and His Holy Spirit intimately. We could realize that the Word has become flesh. We don’t have a God who is unfamiliar with our struggles or unaware of the profound feelings He created in us. Yet, amid the frailty of our flesh, Christ has empowered us with His Spirit and shown us how to live, love, and faithfully follow the Word of God, even if it costs us our lives. Indeed, it cost Jesus His life to redeem ours. Mary received the Word and saw the Word become flesh; that has changed everything!