A Mary Christmas
Today’s Verse:
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. ~Luke 1:38
When we think about Christmas and the incarnation of Christ, Mary was given a very monumental role. Mary had the distinct privilege of bringing the Lord Jesus into this world by means of human birth. However, this would not be an ordinary birth. It would be a virgin birth. This morning, we want to see how each of us can have “a Mary Christmas.”
We see the selection of Mary.
Mary was just a poor, insignificant young woman espoused to a man named Joseph. Little did she realize that her bloodline ties and a godly life would gain her the favor of God to bring the Messiah, our Lord Jesus, into the world. Mary’s life demonstrates for us that God is pleased to use people who are set apart for His glory. Long before Gabriel came to earth with the announcement, she was living a life well-pleasing to God. Be careful that you don’t discard the importance of holy, dedicated living. It just might be that God wants to use you greatly for His glory.
We see the supernatural for Mary.
After Gabriel announced to her that she would bring the Son of God into this world, she asked, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” The idea of a virgin birth was never heard of before. From a human perspective, it was impossible for a child to be born without a human father and a human mother. She was informed that she would be the mother, but that there would be no human father. The birth of the Lord Jesus was a supernatural birth. It was a virgin birth! It was a miracle birth by which the Holy Spirit would enable her body to conceive a Son. There had never been a birth like this before, and there would never be another one like this again. Gabriel summed up what God would do: "For with God nothing shall be impossible"! God is still in the business of doing the impossible! What can God do through your life and praying that can be miraculous?
We see the service of Mary.
Mary answered Gabriel, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” Mary had faith in God’s Word. Mary obeyed God’s Word. Mary did not ask a lot of questions or show hesitancy. No, Mary was on board 100% with what God had said. She gave her life to the service of the Lord. She gave Him her body. She gave Him the most sacred thing about her body: her womb. She served Him as an earthly mother. She hosted the Lord Jesus in her simple home. I can’t help but think that Mary was the “perfect mother.” I can’t help but think that she was a model servant. She attended to the needs of the Lord and at all times was amazed that God would use her. Let’s never lose the wonder of being a servant of Christ.
With Christmas two days away, determine to have “a Mary Christmas.” Let not your thoughts be, “What will I get for Christmas?” but rather, “What can I give for Christmas?” Let not your thoughts be, "What will the Lord do for me?" but rather, "What can I do for the Lord?"
Have a servant God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Peter 1-3