As I sit in the front room, the only light besides the Christmas tree is the Christmas lights around the fireplace and the candles. I admire my collection of nativities. I love how unique each one of them is. I have one that has been in the family for three generations and one that was given to me by a friend who brought it back from her trip to Germany. One of my favorites is a very simple one with Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. It's done in a cream color and looks very fragile.
It's still dark outside, and the rest of my family is sound asleep. I love this time because I get to sit in the quiet of the morning. I am remin
ded of the Story of Jesus' birth. I am mostly reminded of Mary.
She was a young girl at the time, most likely between twelve and fourteen years of age. We know that she was engaged to a man named Joseph. We also know that she was visited by an angel and told that she would be with child.
In Luke 1:28-30, we learn that the angel greets her saying not to be afraid and that she has found favor with God. The angel then informs her that she is going to be with child. The Holy Spirit would come upon her, and she would be the mother of a baby boy and that she would name him Jesus.
Mary's response really puts things into perspective because I know that it wouldn't be mine. She answers the angel saying, “Behold the bondslave of the Lord may it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38).
I don't know if it's because of her age and she still had the faith of a child, or if she had heard through the years the prophecy that had been told, but Mary was willing and obedient to that which the angel told her. She didn't question it beyond how it would happen. She didn't ask why me or laugh when she was told. She accepted it. Mary accepted what the angel told her. She accepted what God was going to do through her. She knew the consequences of being pregnant and unwed. She knew Joseph would question her loyalty and that he might choose not to marry her. B
ut that didn't concern her. She told the angel, let it be as you said.
I admire Mary and her courage, her faith. I respect the trust she had not to question or argue it or even debate with God what He was asking of her. I know that if it were me, I would have explained the problems with what He was asking of me and how I can't do that. I know this because I do this when God has asked me to do something, and I am scared, or it doesn't make sense to me. Or I know that it can cause backlash from the world. I tend to ask God if I'm the right one for what is being asked. That He might be choosing the wrong person. I mean, there's got to be someone better suited than me. None of this fairs well for me. God knows who He asked and what He is asking, and it is my job as His child to obey.
It's straightforward. If God didn't want me to do whatever He asked of me, He wouldn't have asked me. He reminds me of this when I explain,
or shall I say complain. He also reminds me that He is with me and will go before me, and then He reminds me of the most important thing. It is only with Christ that I can get done what is being asked of me. I can do all things through Christ.
I believe that Mary understood this all along. She knew that He is mighty and that it is a privilege to do the will of the Lord (Luke 1:46-55)
I need to remember that it is a privilege to do the work of the Lord, and instead of making excuses or complaining, I need to sit in His presence and rest in my Heavenly Father's arms. I need to thank Him for choosing me to do what He has asked of me, no matter how impossible it may seem to me at the time. No matter how unsure or scared I may be.
I need to have the mindset of Mary.
Let it be, as you have said. I am a bondservant of the Lord.
