STXWM Blog

We first meet Mary at perhaps the scariest moment of her life, when she is face to face with an angel. Angels in scripture almost always begin their messages with variations of, “Don’t worry! Be not afraid! Chill out.” In the Gospel of Luke we meet Mary as a young teen girl engaged to Joseph, a hardworking carpenter or perhaps even a stone mason. 

Gabriel even calls her, “Favored one” which is a beautiful revelation on her character, however, Luke tells us that Mary was greatly troubled by his greeting. Do you take compliments well? I surely don’t. I get nervous and overly deny any sort of compliments and try to change the subject quickly. Have you ever wondered what Mary was thinking when it was revealed to her that she had found favor with her creator God? 

Mary wasn’t born during a time where scripture was easily accessible, especially to young girls, and most of her knowledge about God was gleaned from her time growing up with her family. She certainly did not have her own scrolls to read at home and was more likely learning how to become a wife and mother herself and not attending lectures and readings of the holy texts. What blows my mind is how, by the world’s standards 2,000 years ago and perhaps even our standards today, God chose wrong. He didn’t find the cleanest, wealthiest, or most popular family. God chose a humble unwed girl, from a small insignificant town, who He deemed favorable, to carry and birth His son, the Savior of the world. God choosing Mary was a divine gift to not only her, but to every woman and girl who has ever dreamed of being used by God. A dream that has roots reaching back to the birth of our very savior. 

”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 1:31-33

Mary’s response is excellent. She doesn’t comment on the name choice or gender of her child. She doesn’t stammer and stutter at the majesty of being chosen to birth the Most High. She doesn’t remark on the fact that he will be royalty and have a throne that extends into forever. No, Mary’s response is, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” Mary is young and humble, but here we see how she sees into the details. None of the other awe inspiring things can happen, if she doesn’t conceive and birth this miracle king. 

Gabriel doesn’t seem frustrated at her attempt to fathom not only this amazing conversation, but also how she will fulfill her part in it. He answers her not only with exactly how this will all occur, but he also reveals a sweet surprise-her beloved cousin Elizabeth is pregnant. Not only is God performing miracles in her life but also in the lives of her relatives. He ends this powerful revelation with, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” That is a reminder we all can cling to, not just Mary. When we are stressed and overwhelmed or devastated and depleted of hope, may the Holy Spirit stir this truth in our hearts, for nothing will be impossible with God.” 

Mary’s answer to Gabriel is beautiful and brief. “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38 That’s it. Her entire response after the revelation that she, a young unwed girl, will become pregnant and give birth to not just any child, but the Son of God. “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”  Mary was immediately obedient. Her deep faith and humility is evident in her deep trust in this divine encounter. She didn’t ask question after question about what her family or betrothed would think of her. She didn’t ask for special help or insight into how everything would happen. She heard the angel of the Lord speak about God’s will and she quickly and obediently accepted. May we too have such confident boldness with what the Lord reveals to us. “Yes Lord. I am your servant. Let it be to me according to your word. I trust you.” 

Fast forwarding through most of Mary’s pregnancy we meet her and Joseph on the road from Nazareth to Bethlehem. This journey should have taken about 3 maybe 4 days on foot for a young healthy couple. Have you ever traveled with a heavily pregnant woman? Have you been that woman? It is painful and uncomfortable and that’s with all of our modern day amenities! This journey was anywhere from 70-90 miles depending on the exact starting point and ending place as well as the route that had to be taken. My heart goes out to both Mary and Joseph as they continue to do the Lord’s will despite everything.   

After a long journey, in a town that wasn’t their home, Mary’s birth pains begin. Or perhaps they began while they traveled. Maybe the journey started the birthing process and every mile closer to Bethlehem held more pain. This promised child making his way into the world. Born of a virgin ushered into the world, not with fanfare and riches, but in humility and love. 

Now that I have birthed children of my own, I think of Mary and the Christmas story very differently. Were there midwives to assist Mary in her long and painful birth? Did Jesus have trouble latching? Did Mary, overcome with exhaustion, place Jesus on her chest skin to skin while she rested and recovered? 

 Mary is without a doubt a beautiful and instrumental component in God’s redemption story for humanity. She is a beautiful example of audacious faith we can be inspired by. May we also, as children of God, be ready to be used boldly by God exactly where He has us. Let our Savior use us to show this weary world what the thrill of hope truly is.

by MaKenzie V.