As the darkness of night fell, the stars seemed to shine with an unparalleled brilliance. An infant’s first cries pierced through the darkness as they rolled over the hills. A precious new mother holding her highly anticipated child, the tears of relief from the pains of birth that overwhelmed her body streamed down her flushed face. An infant with the heartbeat of the Creator, a promised Savior, cradled in the straw of a manger.
Sometimes we forget that Jesus was Mary’s Savior as well. Her body may have brought Christ into the world, but it didn’t remove the fact that she needed to be rescued from the grip of sin. The woman who carried the Redeemer would need the ransom paid for her life, just like ours.
Mary’s life was modest and plain. To many, she would not have been what they deemed as usable by God. Yet, God chose her for one of the most important tasks in His plan; to safely give birth to the Savior of the world. No pressure.
The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” (Luke 1:28-32)
Her life was altered in more ways than one by the tiny baby in her womb. Mary was one of many women whose lives would never be the same because our Deliverer was delivered into the world. Women plagued with sickness, sin, and demons, multitudes became whole, forgiven, and healed by the hand of Jesus.
Without the birth of Christ, their lives would have remained unchanged.
Mine too.
Mary, who carried our Savior, needed a Redeemer.
Elisabeth, who carried the one who would proclaim the way, needed a Rescuer.
The woman at the well, whose life was overcome with shame, needed a life-changing encounter.
Mary Magdalene, who was filled with demons, needed to be set free.
The adulterous woman, who was sentenced to death, needed God to draw a line in the sand.
Even Eve needed Jesus to right every wrong.
As for me whose sins are many, I need a mighty Savior.
It is easy at Christmas to get wrapped up in the decorations, parties, and glowing lights, and forget that it is so much more. The beauty of seeing it through the eyes of the women in Scripture is that we get a glimpse of the purpose of Christ’s coming. It stretches past the light of Christmas into the expanse of eternity.
We don’t celebrate only to decorate a tree; we celebrate because He came to save.
The birth of Christ is a part of each of our stories, it is the right to our every wrong, and the answer to our greatest need. Christmas is more than simply looking at a manger. We rejoice not simply for a baby, but for a Savior.
Jesus grew into a man who would die on a wooden, splintered cross to save the very ones whose sin placed Him there. Luke 19:10 declares, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Jesus came looking for us; He came with the purpose of saving and restoring us. It didn’t end with the women of the Bible; the redemption continues with us and future generations.
Through her eyes and ours, Christmas is the beginning of hope. It is the evidence of God’s plan coming into place to redeem His children.
Leave a Comment
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Michelle,
What a beautiful reminder for all of us women who try to “make Christmas happen” for everyone else. We need to pause and remember who made Christmas happen for us and give thanks and praise for the babe who came to save, and redeem, and heal, and bring hope. Lovely devotion.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Michelle Rabon says
Thank you Bev. Merry Christmas!
Diane says
Yes, the stress of the ‘celebrating’ most times falls on the women. Some try to make it perfect and we all know that is impossible. So let’s not stress out – let’s focus on the tiny Baby lying in a manger who changed the world forever. May His peace surround us all.
Michelle Rabon says
It seems every year the stress level gets higher, don’t they? Changing our focus really can offer rest in the rush! Merry Christmas Diane.
sharon a says
And for us personally..
Michelle Rabon says
yes!
Maggie says
Thank You Michelle,
I’m one of those people who has always disliked Christmas due to my family situation.
Your message reminds me to just embrace the enormity of what this celebration means regardless of my complaints.
Have blessed Christmas!
Love Maggie
Michelle Rabon says
Thank you for your words Maggie. Our circumstances may not be what we desire for them to be, but the beauty of Christmas is being reminded that He came for us, messes and all. Praying for you this Christmas Maggie…
Merry Christmas!
Michelle
Beth Williams says
Maggie,
Praying for you sweet one! We may not like our circumstances & we can’t control them. Just remember that Christmas is all about the birth of a savior. The one who came to give us new life abundantly! He came to help us through our messes!! Have a happy birthday party for Jesus!! Praying for this Christmas to be a good one!
(((((Hugs)))))
Vickie G. Lynch says
Thank you so much!
“As for me whose sins are many, I need a mighty Savior.”
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
Christmas is a peaceful and joyful celebration of His Holy Birth. I’m now smiling and remembering the words of “O Holy Night”.
Michelle Rabon says
Vickie, thank you for the reminder of this beautiful song! Yes, all to Him I owe!
Merry Christmas!
Michelle
Penny says
Thank-you Michele for writing these beautiful words.
‘Christmas’ will come…..
Blessings to all,
Penny
Michelle Rabon says
Thank you so much for your gracious words Penny!
Merry Christmas,
Michelle
RebeccaLynn says
Wonderful and wise words, Michelle! It’s so important to remember the humanity of the people in the Bible. Their stories are our stories, as we all struggle with so much of the same sins and hardships. We all need a Savior! Christmas is the birth of a new relationship between God and mankind — filled with His grace, mercy, and the chance to know Him as never before. Thank you for writing this beautiful reminder of the incredible blessing that was born that wonderful night!
Michelle Rabon says
Thank you Rebecca for being my encourager. Yes, I love finding the humanity of the people in the Bible, black and white words often leave us forgetting they were, in fact, flesh and blood!
Merry Christmas friend,
Michelle
Nancy Gladwin says
Oh, Michelle, this is beautiful – your descriptive words touched my heart. So glad to see this where others can read. You are a gifted lady with a heart for Jesus.
Michelle Rabon says
Thank you so much Nancy!
Merry Christmas!
Michelle
Laura says
Hi, Mary was conceived without sin. The immaculate conception is part of the catholic religion. What are you?
Debi Gable says
Hi Vickie,
Your comment really touched my heart. I love that song. It touched me way down deep. Thank you & God,, 7
sister.
Debi
And thank you Michelle &
thank you,God
for speaking to me
Brenda says
This year, in particular, I’m falling more in love with the baby Savior turned risen King. Lovely message of this post, Michelle. ♥
Susan Shipe says
And, Mary had to receive Christ as her Savior the very same way we have to. Led by Holy Spirit and faith to believe and receive. xo P.S. (in)courage, I wonder if anyone else has an issue with sharing the tweet? I am on I.E. browser and the tweet tool never works properly.
Rebecca L Jones says
I love studying women in the Bible, what an interesting thought, even Eve needed Him to set things right. Don’t we all, imagine her face if she was in Paradise and saw Him come to lead captivity captive and move them to heaven, and thank God death could not hold Him, lots to celebrate and not just at Christmas., and I never tire of hoping to understand Mary’s heart, carrying the Prince of Peace as a baby so we can carry Him in our hearts. Merry Christmas everyone and God send you a Happy New Year!
Beth Williams says
Michelle,
What an interesting perspective on Christmas. Never really thought about Mary needing a savior, but everyone does. No one down here is perfect! “Jesus came looking for us; He came with the purpose of saving and restoring us”-what a message. I can’t even comprehend why He would leave the splendor of Heaven for me! Merry Christmas everyone!
Blessings 🙂