A Lesson from Jesus’ Mother
A Lesson from Jesus’ Mother
The Christmas season is here, but the first Christmas, celebrated more than 2,000 years ago, was very different from the holiday we observe today. The events leading up to Jesus’ birth were profound, especially for a young teenager named Mary.
Here is what we know about Mary: she was poor, had strong faith, lived in Nazareth, and was engaged to a carpenter named Joseph. The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. God’s message changed her life and upended the young couple’s wedding plans.
During this period in history, the time between an engagement and wedding was typically six to 12 months. While engaged, the couple was considered married; they were called husband and wife, but did not live together, and sexual relations were prohibited.
Luke 1:30-34 tells the story of the angel’s appearance to Mary. As you read it, consider the story from the perspective of a frightened teenage girl about to get married. “‘Don’t be afraid, Mary,’ the angel told her, ‘for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!’ Mary asked the angel, ‘But how can this happen? I am a virgin.’” (NLT)
Young Mary did not understand all that was happening. She was unable to fully grasp what God would do through her, much less how her son would change the world and eternity.
No one ever understands all God is doing around us and through us. In fact, no one was probably more surprised than Mary that God chose to use her. Very few of us dare to dream God-size dreams, even though we know God can use us in ways we cannot imagine.
Mary could have responded to the angel’s announcement with several questions. For instance, how was she to inform her fiancé, Joseph, of her miraculous pregnancy? But Mary asked only one question. “How can this happen? I am a virgin.” Her question was both appropriate and understandable. Every previous child had been conceived in the usual way. While Mary was willing to play her role in what God promised, she could not grasp how it was possible.
The angel’s answer was both simple and profound… “God.” Mary’s child would be called God’s Son, and I suspect she wondered how God could use a poor teenager like herself.
The miracle of grace is that God often uses those who seem least qualified: the weak, the poor, and the young. Mary demonstrates this, as do many other heroes from scripture. God used this surprising young woman in a remarkable way that first Christmas, and he wants to use each of us this Christmas.