I love the opportunity each December to reflect on the birth of the Savior of the world Jesus Christ. The record we have of Christ’s birth and his formative years is sparce. What we do have is special and sacred. This year as I reflect on His birth my thoughts are turned to Mary.
The angel of the Lord who visited Mary while engaged to Joseph said:
thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art though among women
Luke 1:28
Upon receiving this praise, Mary was troubled. The angel continues.
Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God
Luke 1:30
What must Mary have felt in this instance? She was told she was blessed among women and highly favoured of the Lord.
We do not have more in recorded scripture about how she may have felt but her response to the angel as he departed, after telling her she will be the mother of the Son of God, is instructive.
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.
Luke 1:38
What does this sentence communicate to you about Mary? Take a moment right now to pause and reflect on that question.
To me these words of Mary communicate humility, faith, and courage.
“Behold the handmaid of the Lord”
She recognizes her new responsibility; she is to be the mother of the long-awaited Jesus. Mary offers herself as a humble servant to God. What humility, faith, and respect for God this single statement contains.
“be it unto me according to thy word.”
Mary does not know what will happen next but has the courage to accept whatever will come. Her purity and divine identity and calling will surely be judged and attacked. She does not yet know she will have to flee to Egypt to avoid the king’s jealousy. Mary does not know what it will be like to raise the Savior of the world. There is no shortage of uncertainty in her future, and she willingly submits to the Lord by saying “be it unto me according to thy word.”
I am inspired by the power, conviction, and strength of Mary, the mother of Jesus. I want to be more like her. I want to be more humble, faithful, and courageous. Mary did raise the Son of God – He is the Savior and Redeemer of the world.
My invitation to you this Christmas is to pause and reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ. Listen to your heart. What inspires you? Act on what inspires you. You will not regret it.
