That’s most what life is: reacting to what happens to us. We just like to delude ourselves that we are in charge. But we can choose how we react.”
–Ron Schwab (Grit)
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”
–Luke 1:46-47 (NKJV)
——————————-
Paul speaks of the “fullness of times.” Christmas is one of those “times” that is easily recognized. In the midst of all that was going on in the heavenlies and the spiritual realm God had to bring in the human element for the Christ was to be born of woman. When I wrote of Joseph last week, I mentioned that I had often pondered the Incarnation. It is grand, it is mysterious, it is simple yet complex. I don’t understand it but I live in wonder of it. The Son of God, born as a baby, destined to die on the cross for the sins of mankind.
Think for a few minutes of Mary. She was between the ages of 13-16 years old, and some say she might even have been twelve. She was betrothed to Joseph when one day the angel Gabriel appeared to her. That in itself must have startled her, but what he told her must have been almost overwhelming. He said she had “found favor with God.” Imagine a 14-year-old hearing that from an angel in her presence, but then he said that she would have a son. Not just any son but the Son of God for He would be conceived of the Holy Spirit and would be called the “Son of the Highest.” She shook her head–impossible; but then Gabriel told her “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37, NKJV).
Upon hearing those words, Mary uttered those now familiar words. The words of an obedient servant of the Most High, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” The wonder of a young girl willing to be the mother of the Son of God.
I have wondered about what happened after she was pregnant, and I imagine after she spoke to Joseph, she went to visit her aunt. Why is there no mention of her telling her mother? Did her parents spurn her since she was pregnant? Did they think she committed an immoral act and not believe what Mary told them of the conception and the words of the angel? Was she an orphan, therefore she went to visit an older woman? Hmmm.
I will not go into the exchange when Elizabeth greeted Mary, but she asked Elizabeth the question, “Why me?” They must have had interesting conversations for Mary stayed with Elizabeth and her mute husband for three months, then went back to Nazareth and the gossip of the town. Then on top of the pregnancy she had to travel with Joseph seventy miles to Bethlehem.
When my oldest was born, she was stubborn. She didn’t come on her due date, or the day after. Finally, a week later I took Annie on a trip up the Rampart Range Road. I figured the washboards on the rugged dirt road might shake her loose. Whether it worked or not a few days later she was born. Mary, nine months pregnant, rode on the back of a donkey over the rugged roads of Judea. In her mind, the timing might not have been the best, but remember “in the fullness of times.” It wasn’t the best of circumstances, but Mary bore the journey. Then, the problems were not over, there was no place for them to stay. Joseph found refuge for them in a stable where Mary gave birth.
Take time to read the thoughts of Mary for they show her character. Read her famous words in Luke 1:46-55, ponder them, contemplate them. Then consider all that was involved in the conception, the journey, the birth of Jesus. Mary certainly did; all the things that happened she “kept all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19, NKJV).
Amazing isn’t it? Wondrous and mysterious, yet we should take heart in this story for God knows the future. He knows each of us and He has special things planned for our lives. We need to be willing as was Mary and say, “Let it be to me according to your word.”
——————————-
Paul speaks of the “fullness of times.” Christmas is one of those “times” that is easily recognized. In the midst of all that was going on in the heavenlies and the spiritual realm God had to bring in the human element for the Christ was to be born of woman. When I wrote of Joseph last week, I mentioned that I had often pondered the Incarnation. It is grand, it is mysterious, it is simple yet complex. I don’t understand it but I live in wonder of it. The Son of God, born as a baby, destined to die on the cross for the sins of mankind.
Think for a few minutes of Mary. She was between the ages of 13-16 years old, and some say she might even have been twelve. She was betrothed to Joseph when one day the angel Gabriel appeared to her. That in itself must have startled her, but what he told her must have been almost overwhelming. He said she had “found favor with God.” Imagine a 14-year-old hearing that from an angel in her presence, but then he said that she would have a son. Not just any son but the Son of God for He would be conceived of the Holy Spirit and would be called the “Son of the Highest.” She shook her head–impossible; but then Gabriel told her “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37, NKJV).
Upon hearing those words, Mary uttered those now familiar words. The words of an obedient servant of the Most High, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” The wonder of a young girl willing to be the mother of the Son of God.
I have wondered about what happened after she was pregnant, and I imagine after she spoke to Joseph, she went to visit her aunt. Why is there no mention of her telling her mother? Did her parents spurn her since she was pregnant? Did they think she committed an immoral act and not believe what Mary told them of the conception and the words of the angel? Was she an orphan, therefore she went to visit an older woman? Hmmm.
I will not go into the exchange when Elizabeth greeted Mary, but she asked Elizabeth the question, “Why me?” They must have had interesting conversations for Mary stayed with Elizabeth and her mute husband for three months, then went back to Nazareth and the gossip of the town. Then on top of the pregnancy she had to travel with Joseph seventy miles to Bethlehem.
When my oldest was born, she was stubborn. She didn’t come on her due date, or the day after. Finally, a week later I took Annie on a trip up the Rampart Range Road. I figured the washboards on the rugged dirt road might shake her loose. Whether it worked or not a few days later she was born. Mary, nine months pregnant, rode on the back of a donkey over the rugged roads of Judea. In her mind, the timing might not have been the best, but remember “in the fullness of times.” It wasn’t the best of circumstances, but Mary bore the journey. Then, the problems were not over, there was no place for them to stay. Joseph found refuge for them in a stable where Mary gave birth.
Take time to read the thoughts of Mary for they show her character. Read her famous words in Luke 1:46-55, ponder them, contemplate them. Then consider all that was involved in the conception, the journey, the birth of Jesus. Mary certainly did; all the things that happened she “kept all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19, NKJV).
Amazing isn’t it? Wondrous and mysterious, yet we should take heart in this story for God knows the future. He knows each of us and He has special things planned for our lives. We need to be willing as was Mary and say, “Let it be to me according to your word.”