Day 2
And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:38
Christmas is a unique season to reflect on God’s activity in each of our own lives. It’s at the end of the year, so there’s a “fresh start” right around the corner. It’s at a time when we’re forced to look inward anyway, as we think about how to answer questions about what gifts we want or need. It follows Thanksgiving, when we’ve dedicated a whole day to being grateful for what the Lord has done and provided! And Christmas begins with Mary’s response to what God was doing in her life that would change the course of history forever.
Think of the most exciting news you’ve ever received. Now think of the most terrifying news you’ve ever received. For this young girl, Mary, I bet that all came on the same day, in the same announcement: “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus” (Luke 1:31).
Mary’s going to be the mother of Immanuel, “God with us,” the Messiah; that’s exciting! But she’s going to conceive this child as a virgin, while already engaged to Joseph; that’s terrifying. Would people believe her? Would Joseph? How will people treat her? What does it mean to raise the child of God? How would she respond?
She responded the best way possible. Mary submitted to God’s plan, and was willing to accept any coming hardship because she knew the blessing would far outweigh it; Paul echoes her spirit in Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
Her response was like Abram’s—the Lord sent him and he went (Genesis 12). Like Isaiah’s when the Lord asked, and he answered, “Here I am, send me” (Isaiah 6). She believed and surrendered, “let it be to me according to your word.”
This Christmas, can you submit in the same way to what the Lord is doing in your life?
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