How Mary followed God's leading and how you can, too.
A Christmas devotion for motherhood
Christmas is one of my favorite times of year! I love the sights, sounds and peppermint smells of the season. But my most favorite part of this season is celebrating Christ and meditating on His birth story.
Every time I read the Christmas passages of the Bible, I’m reminded just how miraculous his birth was. The best part of Jesus’ birth story? God chose motherhood.
“God chose motherhood to usher in the start of His ultimate rescue mission to save us all.”
It is extraordinary for me to imagine that God called Mary to walk the same steps of motherhood that I am walking now. One of my favorite Christmas songs is “Mary, Did You Know?”. Everytime I hear this song I am brought to tears as I think of all the ways Mary mothered Jesus. She was simply a devoted, follower of God who said “yes” to His grand, eternal plan.
This passage begins to unfold the Christmas story with the opening scene of the angel Gabriel visiting Mary. Let’s unpack these verses together to discover what God is teaching us about the beauty of the Christmas story.
Mary, Favored By God (v.26-30)
Gabriel greets Mary by pointing out that she is favored by God (twice!). Mary’s favor by God, however, started long before the angel appeared to her that day. God intentionally placed Joseph, her fiancé, in the lineage of David (v. 27). Once she is married to him she becomes part of that lineage and so does Jesus. This fulfills Old Testament prophecy that the Messiah would be born in the lineage of David (2 Samuel 12:16). And because she is only engaged to Joseph at the time of the angel coming to her, she is therefore still a virgin which also fulfills Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 7:14).
I’ve often wondered what Mary’s personal relationship must have been with God at that time? Perhaps her personal devotion and faith in God was truly a unique knitting together of her love and servanthood for Him. It challenges me to think about my personal relationship with Christ. Not so that I can find a blessing from the Lord, but to cherish Him, serve Him and commit my life to Him every day.
God’s Rescue Mission (v.31-33)
Now God reveals to Mary, through Gabriel, that He is calling her into motherhood to bear the Son of God. Gabriel continues to fulfill Old Testament prophecy by (again) listing David’s lineage, the kingdom of Jacob and that the son of God would be the Most High. All are references to the heritage and cultural practices of the Jewish people; God’s chosen people.
And the most exciting part? Gabriel reveals to her what his name will be. Jesus. In Hebrew Jesus means Yeshua, which means “to deliver, to rescue”. This is a special moment because his name has never been revealed to man until now. God is sending Jesus to be their rescuer, to save them from their sins.
What a moment of fear, wonder, excitement and humility that must have been for her! So many thoughts must have been rushing through her mind. To be honest, I can identify with this scene very personally. Have you ever heard God speak to you loud and clear about something? Perhaps giving you a mission or showing you what the next step should be? And yet it feels so impossible and overwhelming in that moment? Yep. I can only imagine that’s exactly how Mary must have felt.
Mary, Servant of the Lord (v.34-38)
After processing all of this new information, I’m sure she was full of questions. Aren’t we always when God reveals something new to us?
As she put the pieces of this puzzle together she knew it didn’t seem possible because she was a virgin. How gracious God is to answer her question through Gabriel! He didn’t criticize her or doubt her faith or leave her unanswered. Instead, God encourages Mary by telling her that her cousin Elizabeth, who was barren, is also expecting! And then Gabriel affirms her:
“For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37
What peace and reassurance that must have given Mary for her new calling by God! The virgin birth is one of the most significant pieces of this rescue mission. Because of man’s sinful condition, Jesus would need to be conceived without man but have a human birth so that he could take on the sin of the world. The overshadowing by the Holy Spirit and God himself would grant Him his humanness while still being set apart and holy as fully God (Phil. 2:6-8).
I’m sure Mary sat for a moment considering all these things. I know I would need at least 10 minutes! But knowing her love and devotion for God and desire to serve Him, she says “yes” to God.
She trusts Him. She still doesn’t have all the answers. She has no idea how this new path of motherhood will unfold. She still has yet to tell her fiancé Joseph. But I think at the end of this visit with Gabriel, she has enough faith to know that God will protect her, provide for her and guide her. It won’t be easy. It usually never is when we say yes to God, but that’s when we lean into Him and take one step forward at a time.
Your Motherhood and The Christmas Story
Of all the rulers, women who have mothered before and incredibly qualified people to raise the Son of God, it was Mary who was the perfect fit. It was Mary who would care for, nurture, teach and disciple Jesus the way God intended. He called her into motherhood at the perfect time and entrusted her with the child she was meant to have. He asked her to follow Him, and she said yes.
Just like Mary, God is calling you to follow Him. You may not have all the answers or know what will happen, but He will take care of you and promise never to leave you.
And just like Mary, you too are uniquely equipped and called into motherhood for the children you’ve been entrusted with. There is no other more fit to mother your children than you! God knows what He is doing. Motherhood is not easy. Being a follower of Christ is not always easy. But by God’s grace there is purpose in both journeys.
Trust Him. Draw close to God in this season of Christmas, and celebrate the ultimate gift that he’s given us in His son, Jesus Christ.
Follow-up Questions:
•What did you learn about Jesus’ birth story?
•How were you encouraged by this passage?
•How can you say “yes” to God today?
A Prayer For You:
Heavenly Father. Gracious God. Thank you for the Christmas story. For loving me enough to send Jesus Christ to rescue me from my sins. Thank you for your forgiveness. Lord help me to say yes to you when you ask. Help me to follow you even when it is hard or unclear. I know that you will care for me and protect me. I love you Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further reading: Matthew 2:1-12, Luke 1:39-56, Luke 2:1-21, Philippians 2:1-11
Recommended Christmas songs: Mary Did You Know, Breath of Heaven
