Monday, December 8, 2014

Mother-to-be Mary

Advent season is here and I'm thinking a lot about Mary. Since I'm not Catholic my perspective is probably rather humanistic though I in no way intend to be irreverent. Mary was a poor young girl who loved her Lord. She was engaged to marry Joseph and was making preparations as was common for her day. Suddenly, an angel appears to her and her life is changed forever.

Scripture tells us, in Luke 1:26-38, Mary was a virgin who found 'high favor' with the Lord. What an honor to be recognized by God as "highly favored"! Especially since nearly all those favored before here were men. By our standards she had three strikes against her: she was young, she was a girl, and she was from a poor family. Yet, God chose her. God knew she would obey what was required of her and He knew she would trust Him. Others were less worthy of this honor. Others may have ignored the angel's proclamation or disbelieved the profound announcement. Mary was chosen with good reason.

Mary reacted with her human emotions, she was troubled at first by the angel's message that she was favored by God. She must have been humbled by this praise and questioned what was coming next. Difficult to imagine, Mary asked how she could bear a child when she was a virgin. She listened to the explanation from the angel and immediately accepted her mission with honor. She didn't question the angel further, nor ask about Joseph, which must have been on her mind. She obeyed, accepting the angel's final words, "For nothing is impossible with God" (Luke 1:37 NIV).

I can only try to put myself in her place and imagine how overwhelming the angel's message must have been. How do you process such a prophecy? One day at a time. Fortunately God gave her another honored one to share this amazing plan with, Elizabeth. The miracle of bearing such a holy baby with such a divine role to live would be beyond the mind's conception. Only Mary could respond, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said" (Luke 1:38 NIV).

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