Christmas Reflection #1

     I realize that I've been out of touch for over a month, and I probably won't get back to writing until after the first of the year, but I thought I'd re-publish several posts in the next week or so that I've posted before.  They'll all focus on the celebration of Christmas.  I hope they will be an encouragement to you as you reflect on this wonderful time of year.
      There was a lot about Mary's situation that would have been hard to take in. She was pregnant but unmarried. Further, she hadn’t done anything wrong to get into that situation. Even more, who would believe that?

      While every young Jewish girl held the faint hope in her heart that she might be privileged to become the mother of the Messiah, they didn’t plan their lives around it. Mary wouldn’t have either. She had plans, but they likely didn’t include this. Not this way; not now; not before she and Joseph were married.

      It came unexpectedly and put her in very unfamiliar circumstances. Whatever you might imagine the birthing process to be in the first century, it would not likely include a dirty cave that was carved out to hold animals. The crib wouldn’t be a feeding trough. The smells would certainly not be all baby powder and Johnson's lotion, either.   No assistance; no clean towels; not even a bed to lie on. Everything was different than she would have hoped for the birth of her first child.

      As we think about the future of our children, we all hope that they will find fulfillment and happiness. We want them to walk with God and to be successful in their endeavors. Very early on in Mary’s life with Jesus, she learned that her son would suffer terribly and die a brutal death. Imagine the pain that brought to Mary’s heart. Her hopes and dreams for her children would not have included that information.

      What about your life? Has God surprised you with an unexpected turn of events? Has he set you outside of your own expectations for how life should be? Has the script you had put together for your future gone on to a different page? Are you finding that what you anticipated has turned out to be far less desirable in reality?

      How did Mary respond to all of these things? Listen to her own words shortly after the angel told her about her pregnancy: “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the humble state 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.” (Luke 1:46-49)

     I am deeply impressed with Mary’s response to the life changing circumstances she had just been introduced to. She voiced only one question as to the logistics of the matter (“how can this be?”). Once it was explained that it would be a miracle, she humbly offered herself for God’s purposes, even indicating that for her, it was to be seen as something wonderful that God was doing. How could she do this? It all came out of the depth of her relationship with the Lord. As you read the remainder of her song in Luke 1, you will be impressed with her understanding of Scripture and its application to her circumstances. She had a big view of God, and thus was able to trust what He was doing in her life.

      You and I serve the same God Mary did. Does that encourage you today?