Christmas from the Perspective of (Mary)

 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.  The virgin's name was Mary.  (Luke 1:26-27)

  

As a mother, I’ve always been fascinated by the story of Christmas from Mary’s perspective.  I can barely imagine what it was like carrying and giving birth to a holy child (let alone raising Him).  

And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" (Luke 1:28)

Mary was highly favored by God, the maker of heaven and earth, the Alpha and Omega.  What could she, a young, inexperienced, Jewish girl have done in her short life to be so highly esteemed in His eyes?  It appears to me that her biggest achievement to date was planning a wedding to her fiancé,Joseph.  What qualified her to be the mother of the Christ child?

highly ~ 1. of great moment or importance  2. pre-eminent in rank or standing  3. lofty or exalted in quality or character

favored ~ 1. treated or thought of with kindness  2. having special talents, gifts

God didn’t look at Mary’s achievements when He chose her.  He looked at the matter of her heart, at the quality of her character.  God looked at her special gifts ~ her belief ~ an unwavering, obedient belief in God.  Her humility.  Mary was not the type to take out an ad in the newspaper or go on reality television or post on her blog that she had been chosen by the God of the universe for the biggest role in the history of the world.  No, that was not Mary’s style.   God knew it; God knew her.  And she was highly favored in His eyes.

Blessed ~ 1. worthy of profound respect 2. bringing happiness or bliss

Because of her humble belief, Mary would be blessed among all women, known and remembered through history.  There may be women who think that they are blessed because they have more worldly status or beauty or riches, but only Mary enjoys the profound respect due her position in this Christmas story.  It is a mixed blessing.  While she found great favor with God and was chosen for a special place in His kingdom work, her happiness would be tinged with personal sacrifice and suffering.  (Luke 2:35b)   As a mother, I know the joy and troubles of raising a son.  Mary’s were greatly magnified.

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.  (Luke 1:29)

I think I would be a little confused and even fearful, too.  Mary receives a personally delivered message by an angel.  He tells her that she is highly favored by God and blessed among women.  What does this mean?  I love Gabriel’s answer.  Way to go in clarifying things, Gabe.

Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.  He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest…and of His kingdom there will be no end." (Luke 1:30-32)

I can imagine what Mary is thinking at this point. “I’m just a teenager.  I’m being chosen to carry and give birth to the only Son of God.  I’m not even married.  I know where babies come from.”

Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"  And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God…For with God nothing will be impossible."   (Luke 1:34, 35, 37) 

Let’s review the story.  An angel delivers a message from God.  Not just any angel, but an archangel.  And he’s telling a young virgin that she has been chosen to by Him to give birth to His Son.  God has not spoken to His people for 400 years and now He’s saying, “Hey, we’re having a baby!  Not just any baby but a holy child, a Savior.  Oh, and by the way, you will remain a virgin.”

Mary had much to lose by her pregnancy.  Held in high esteem as a young, betrothed virgin, she most likely fell into disgrace and disregard within her community.  While Mary’s response is perplexing from a worldly perspective, it was truly the only response she could give.  She never once assumed God would ask her to have premarital sex with Joseph in order to conceive, but there was still the question of how.  She said “yes” to God in her heart before she knew the how because it was the only response that ever occurred to her.  And that’s why God chose her and not me.  My faith is not as pure and unwavering as Mary’s.  I long for the day when the only response that occurs to me to a request from God is “yes.”

Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her...Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord. (Luke 1:38, 45)

I learned from Mary’s perspective of Christmas:

• about the beauty, simplicity, depth and power of her faith,
•  that no previous life experiences (or maybe in spite of them) caused her to doubt or disobey God’s request,
• she was overjoyed with the prospect of God’s favor even though the worldly consequences would/could be negative,
• that she let God take care of the details,
• she received great blessings and great suffering for her obedience,
• that God does great things through ordinary people.

Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.   For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;  for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.  For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.  (Luke 1:46-49)