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"Mary must have gone about her daily chores with a happy heart."

 

A thought by David Jeremiah, from his book, Why the Nativity?: 25 Compelling Reasons We Celebrate the Birth of Jesus (p. 11). Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.. Kindle Edition.  (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.)

But something was about to happen.

David continues, "These were her final days as a young maiden.

"And then, in the midst of routine and readiness, a single supernatural moment shattered the normality of her life. An angel stood before her, as the first chapter of Luke’s Gospel recounts. When did it happen? Perhaps Mary was kneeling beside her bed, attending to prayers, beginning or finishing a day. How frightening the sudden arrival of a heavenly messenger must have been!


" 'Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you,' Gabriel said—for it was that particular angel, one of the greatest in God’s service (Luke 1:28). Seeing her terror, he assured her there was no reason to fear, for the news he brought was wonderful. God had decided to bless her. She would have a son who should be called Jesus. He would be the Son of the Most High, and he would reign over his people forever."

David says, "Such a powerful message is unlikely to take hold quickly. Mary, naturally enough, thought about the practical elements rather than the eternal ones. She wanted to know how it was that a virgin could become pregnant. Gabriel patiently explained that the Holy Spirit would miraculously bring forth a child from her, and this child would be the Son of God.

"Consider the change that came about in Mary’s life. Thoughts of marriage turned to thoughts of motherhood, and thoughts of a quiet, ordinary life turned to the anticipation of being at the center of a spectacular miracle from heaven. No wonder God sent Gabriel himself to help her understand and prepare."

He goes on, "Why Mary? Mary herself must have wondered, Why am I a 'favored woman'? Why me? Indeed, the reasons she was chosen are known only to God. But it is clear that she was no random selection. Though an ordinary, small-town girl, she must be obedient and courageous, and she was. From her song (see Luke 1:46-55), we know that she was a woman of Scripture, a woman of faith. She must be a virgin, that the glory of God might be miraculously demonstrated. She must be a peasant, in keeping with the humble nature of the Lord’s birth.

"Mary was all these things. She honored and obeyed the will of her Father, providing his only Son a home from which he would emerge to launch the work that would define all of human history. The Child toddled behind her in his infancy. Then, in time, she followed behind him—all the way to the cross and the tomb."

David then says, "Mary was favored by God for a task that would finally allow each of us to be favored. Gabriel said, 'The Lord is with you,' and as a result, the Lord is with us all. In that way, God sent the ultimate Christmas gift not just to Mary but to all of us—and it was Mary who delivered the package."

And that is so true. Yes, yes! #continuethought

 





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