When you read the Christmas story, I think it’s easy for us to glaze over at some elements of this narrative. And what the heck? Why is Mary so amazingly calm upon hearing the news that she’s newly knocked up, having the Savior of the World in 9 months and probably needs to have a DTR with her fiancé because #gabrielshowedup.
the angel assured her, “Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.
He will be great,
be called ‘Son of the Highest.’
The Lord God will give him
the throne of his father David;
He will rule Jacob’s house forever—
no end, ever, to his kingdom.”
I am struck with this notion that Mary is given a life-changing role. God plucks her out of the sea of humanity and essentially says,
YOU MATTER
I NEED YOU
YOU HAVE AN IMPORTANT JOB TO DO
I KNOW YOU’RE THE RIGHT PERSON TO DO IT
This woman who has no social status, no real on-paper value to her surroundings is important. God’s perspective over Mary’s life and purpose matters so much to me. This realization that God picks the right people for important tasks affects me deeply. He chooses Mary but I also know He chooses me for tasks that matter – even if that task is taking my mom to the OB/GYN #antibucketlist. I am moved by his attention to her and his delegation of her – because he pays attention to me and delegates me too.
Yes, I see it all now:
I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve.
Let it be with me
just as you say.
And I am, of course, so moved by her response: May it be with me just as you say.” She knows she is in a position unlike any position anyone has ever ever ever been in. There is no comparision – her new role for the world and for God’s kingdom is unique.
And my role for the world and His kingdom,
Your role for the world and His kingdom
SO UNIQUE.
Denise Levertov says this about Mary’s response,
“She did not cry, ‘I cannot, I am not worthy,’
Nor, ‘I have not the strength.’
She did not submit with gritted teeth,
Raging, coerced.
Bravest of all humans,
Consent illumined her.”
Bless you this Christmas as you walk this road of realizing your significance to God through Jesus Christ – just like Mary. May consent illumine you.
Megan’s Take: Oh my gosh!! Taking your Momma to the Gyno?? I have GOT to move on from that. You are definitely the anointed one for that job. Right?? You are such a good daughter. And I do mean that. I love your perspective on task, worth and response. Doing something brave and crazy actually seems fun; invigorating even. Honestly, the thing that scares me the most is that God would just ask me to stay the course, to be little old me in this big old world. Where is the significance in that? Then I remember that it’s not about me anyway. It’s about Him. And I put one foot in front of the other again.
Holly’s Take:
It’s been fun to look at Mary the last couple of years. I keep learning something new each Christmas. This story reminds me of something I’ve thought of a million times this year. I keep thinking about who made the lunch that ended up feeding five thousand. It was probably some mom, just doing the ordinary and mundane, and yet, by doing that mundane task of making yet another lunch that morning, Jesus ended up feeding thousands. We just never know what ordinary person, task or circumstance will lead to the most amazing miracles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
writinginpencil 