When you contemplate the Christmas story your heart is filled with amazement. Imagine Mary? A young lady, she is being raised in a very religious household and culture. She is one who fears God herself, not simply because she is raised in a Jewish home but because she herself wants a relationship with God. Imagine! She is at home one night. Probably just finished doing some chores and after a long day she finally has some time for herself. I mean, life is busy for young Mary, she is engaged to be married to Joseph and there are a lot of things to do. She finally has some time alone. Time to rest, to relax and time to just focus on herself and all that is going on. She is probably in a gaze, staring off into space, thinking of what life is going to be like when she gets married. And suddenly she has a visitation from an Angel. And what he tells her is unbelievable! The first question that comes to her mind is, "How can this be?" and then finally she comes to the place of surrender. And it is not simply surrender, it is the place of submission.
Luke records her response in chapter 1 verse 38 (NKJV) "Then Mary said, 'Behold, the maidservant of the Lord! Let is be to me according to your word." Her life was forever changed! Oh we speak of her with much honor today. We speak of her with such reverence and awe. We esteem her courage, her faith, her fortitude! And rightfully so. But how different it was in that little community where she lived. She had to walk by the crowds as they whispered to one another. She had to hold her head high as others silently jeered her, for she was pregnant and was not yet married.
Yes, her faith is amazing when you think she gave birth to the Son of God; yet her faith is astounding when you think of what she had to go through before even giving birth. Lord, give us the courage to surrender to the plan you have for us!
This is today,
Pastor Gary
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