I love the story of Jesus’ birth, and especially the details surrounding Mary.
Young, a virgin, and betrothed to Joseph, we read in Luke about her encounter with the angel Gabriel.
“And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!’ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And 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 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 the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.'” {Luke 1: 28-33}
Do not be Afraid.
If an angel of God had visited me, I am sure that I would have been filled with fear. Gabriel knew that, so he begins his greeting with an assurance for Mary: “You are a favored one and the Lord is with you.”
Consider the magnitude of what was going to happen to her — a baby, no, a holy child, conceived by a virgin girl. How could this be? And what would people say? What would Joseph do?
It would have been completely understandable if Mary was overcome with fear. Instead we read that she goes to visit Elizabeth, and just as the angel had told her, she too was pregnant. A woman who had been called barren was also expecting a miracle. Is it possible? Could this all be true?
What I love most is Mary’s response. A song of praise to God, a humble offering to God.
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His offspring forever.” {Luke 1:46-55}
My soul magnifies the Lord.
I love the strong faith of this young girl. Mary is surprised with an incredible blessing, but it comes at a cost. Joseph could leave her and decide not to marry her. What would he think? And this child . . . the one the angel calls holy?
Imagine the magnitude of being the mother to the Christ child!
But Mary celebrates the opportunity. She trusts God with all of the details and even goes a step further. She praises Him for it.
We are fast approaching another new year. There have been times I have entered in a new year filled with dread at what was to come. I don’t typically thrive in the unknown. I like a plan, one that I can map out and control.
But reading this story of Mary stirs in my heart a desire to have a response like hers. Friends, we will face the unknown, some of us may experience a job change, the loss of a family member, an unwanted medical diagnosis. All of these things can place a blanket of fear over us.
But what if in these moments we seek to shed the chains of fear and instead walk forward with a song of praise on our lips? Trusting that the God who sent His Son for us, born to a virgin girl, is with us in all the unknown and we do not have to be afraid.
I walk forward in that truth today.
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Related: Adorn your home and encourage your heart with the Scripture scripted on this beautiful art print.
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Well written sister definitely good food for thought. Mary was indeed strong in her faith and trust in God and left all the finer details to him. I will try not to be afraid and be stronger in my faith renewal as I consciously and consistently seek God now and for the new year ahead.
Thank you so much! Praying that we can both walk forward in faith and trust God with the details!!
The book I most enjoyed reading was the Five Love Languages, I’ve read all the versions of it. I recently spent Christmas with both of my parents for the first time in 10 years. They are divorced and through reading this book I reflected on moments when my parents were showing me love, I just didn’t understand it because we have different languages of love. I was able to see how both my parents express love differently and how I can learn to accept and give love in the form that they need it.
I loved reading the book called The Proposing Tree, it was very romantic and delightful
I could picture every scene in my mind, It captivated my attention to read more, it’s a lovely
Story of love, regrets and happy endings .
I am reading “The Jesuit Guide to ALMOST “Everything”. A Spirituality for REAL Life
One of the things that I am working on incorporating in my daily life is The Daily Examen.This reminds me to stop throughout the day and more importantly at the end of the day to look back and see where God was present in the events of the day. A reminder to give thanks to God for His work in your life. To ask forgiveness for my failures, give Him thanks for the good that I was able to do with His help, and pray that God will give me the grace to be more aware of Him in my daily encounters tomorrow.
Kristen,
Great post! I have often wondered how Mary could be so brave and say “Yes” so quickly! Here she was a young unwed woman about to be pregnant in a culture that frowned upon unwed pregnancies. But she believed and went forth. Joseph needs applause also! He believed and married Mary and was the father.
The last few years have been super stressful for me and my family! We have had many changes. Dad in assisted living, medical issues, on hospice and mind failing, husband had 3 job changes within 2 years-all with same company, and I quit my job this year to be more available for my dad. What can next year hold? I am a little afraid, but know that God is in control and He will see us through all these trials!
Thanks so much Beth. My 2015 was filled with heaviness in many ways as well. Praying for you tonight that God would give you a peace about the coming year and you would remember that through all of this past year He was there!
Well written! Recently God has put on my heart those who accept his will for their lives and do not look back. I am trying to give control to Him, but that causes me anxiety..can you tell that I am a type A personality? Several years ago, God got my attention by blessing me with a stroke. As I recovered, I realized that He had given me the grace to accept that I could no longer do things that I would have never thought I could live without, such as driving. Today I seem to be regressing back to my “old” lifestyle and I’m pretty sure He does not like it! My husband and I have had several health issues this year and while I still have His peace with the health issues, I still get the feeling that I need to be in charge of things. AS IF I could do better than GOD! Lord, help my arragance!
Valerie – while our challenges are different, our attitudes sound similar! 2015 has been a year of regression in many ways for me as well and while I am not thrilled with the way I am having to walk through the end of the year I am finding hope in what will be accomplished in the renewing of my mind through Christ. Praying that for you as well!!
It has been a tough 3 years…..battling with chemical depression after a hysterectomy. ..I have read many books by Holler Gerth, Lysa, Mary Sutherland and a few other inspirational and encouraging Christian ladies. ..one of the best books I read was “Out of The Darkness” by Chonda Pierce. ……it was medicine for my soul…..I’m so thankful to the ladies who share their experiences of real life . It helps to know that others have been where you are and have gotten through it…
I’m looking forward to a healthy 2016….it would be a blessing to read these 10 books! Thank you for the opportunity.
This is a great word, one to boldly face the new year with; thank you!!