Mary

I've always had a fascination and a sense of awe for Mary. Maybe because I find that out of all those involved in that first Christmas I find that I can relate to her best or maybe I'm just captivated by her character as a young woman or maybe it's a bit of both. I am drawn to her. I have always wanted to play Mary in a nativity play.

As I've been reading and studying The Christmas story (mainly Luke 1-2) in depth I've found myself wondering what Mary was like. Luke 1:26-37 recounts Gabriel's visit to Mary during which he calls her "favoured one." Can you imagine?! First of all an angel is before you, but then he is telling you that you are highly favoured by God. WOW! What fascinates me the most is Mary's response and through it I think you can get a good idea of why Mary was favoured. First, her humility is beautiful. It is most likely that Mary knew of the prophecies of the coming Messiah so that wouldn't have surprised her. I think the astonishment would have been that God chose her. Of all the young virgins that could have been the mother of Jesus, God chose Mary. I also love seeing Mary's obedience in these verses. Still perplexed by the fact that God had chosen her and I'm sure quite fearful regarding her situation Mary accepts the message of Gabriel with faithfulness and fullness of heart.

I think though what I admire most about Mary is how she was able to put God's words above those of anyone else. There is no doubt that Mary was criticized and condemned by fellow Nazarenes, and as difficult as it must have been Mary knew whose approval mattered more. I'm a people pleaser and often I find myself working for the approval of others instead of my Master. I pray that I can have that trust and intimacy with God that His mandate would be my first priority, what I strive for daily above all else.

She held Him in the beginning, He held her in the end.

As a child He followed behind her, but in due time she followed Him to the cross and the tomb.