Mary’s Christmas

Luke 1:26-56 There are a number of people who stand out in the Christmas account: among these are Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the Wise men, the Christ Child, etc. Each week through Christmas, we will be looking at various ones. Today we see Mary. Mary is not to be worshiped or prayed to. She is not the Mother of God, since the God nature of Christ has never had a birth, but she was chosen to provide for the infleshment of the Son of God. She was a mightily blessed and privileged young woman. To be the mother of the Messiah was the dream of many a young woman of the day. The questions she asked the angel were not ones of doubt, as were Zachariah’s, but more in the nature of “I don’t understand but tell me more.” Not once did she even hint at the idea of “not me" or “I can’t”, only “Let it happen to me as you have said.” She was the only human being to be present at both the birth of Jesus and His death. The words that Mary spoke when she went to the house of her cousin Elizabeth tell a great deal about her character. She was filled with praise and gratitude toward God. No regret that in the world’s eyes she was carrying an illegitimate child. She considered herself blessed. For such a young lady she was not all wrapped up in herself but saw the child in the context of the salvation of her nation and in God’s plan in history. She sets an example for all of us. If we could be as instantly available and as totally willing to cooperate with what God desires to do through us. Our world could be won in our generation. Imagine the kind of relationship we could have with our God. Mary was also faithful to finish what God started in her. From His birth to His training as a child to His death, she was there. In the upper room at Pentecost, she was there. God chose a poor, common young girl for such a mighty purpose, just think of what He could do through you and me.