A thirteen-year-old girl, maybe fourteen but most certainly not more than sixteen…the chosen one? Not a gal from a wealthy family. Not a gal with a prominent Dad or a PTA president Momma, but she does hold one claim to fame. Her parents put a lot of stock in it—though she doesn’t give the history of fourteen generations past much thought—she knows the significance of being from King David’s lineage. (Psalm 132:11)
But that day, this ordinary girl toils, minding her own business, probably carrying out her never-ending chores, totally unprepared for the drop in visit by the shining holy presence of Gabriel.
He greets her, full of excitement and exuberance. After tamping down her fear, she receives the news of being “highly favored” by God with less enthusiasm. Troubled, at the least, she feels confused and disturbed. (NLT)
But why me—a nobody from nowhere?
Then if not surreal enough, Gabriel drops the bombshell, “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever…” Luke 1:31-33
She knows of the prophecies, the son of God will be born of a virgin. As her mind races like a thousand wild horses, she thinks—can it really be me?
Then the galloping fears turn into a stampede of questions.
Will Joseph believe me?
Will he stand by me?
Will my family and friends?
Will the leaders place a curse on me as an adulteress?
And what of the sure-to-come gossip breakneck speeding down the winding streets…?
The people, still governed by the ancient Torah given to Moses by God, adhered to the law of “bitter waters” for women of questionable repute. The book of Numbers says the priest will “write the curses on a scroll and wash them off into the bitter water.” (5:23) “May this water that brings a curse enter your body so that your abdomen swells or your womb miscarries.” (5:22) He created the waters by putting dust from the tabernacle floor into the holy water. Her physical reaction would tell the truth.
As all of those scenarios flashed by, a young teen faces the coming storm with these words of astonishing faith and a depth of courage most adults would have cowered from:
“I am the Lord’s servant.” “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Luke 1:38
With those words, she accepts the miraculous gift, seals her fate, and turns the page toward the redemption of you and me.
And like the theme song in a favorite musical, shedding light on the inner heart of the singer, we see into Mary’s purity of soul as she praises:
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on, all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me, holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham
and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
And just like that—the path for us clears as God’s extraordinary love manifests itself in this plan. A plan for our redemption that begins with a virgin and knits together with a holy babe in a manger. Mary has a front-row seat as she nurtures Jesus to maturity, and then all too quickly, she must let him go—to become the Savior for all mankind.
That’s me and you friends.
So let’s celebrate on Christmas and every day–God’s greatest gift,
Redeemer Jesus—light of the world.
Read Luke 1:26-38, 46-55
Love the way you tell this story❤️
Thank you! There is so much more to to the story when you really think about it.