We begin our new Advent series on the Mothers of Christmas. We begin with Mary, the birth mother of Jesus, whose life was suddenly turned upside down with this announcement from God.
(A) A troubled mother (Luke 1:26-33)
In the account in Luke, we are introduced to a young mother in Luke 1:26-28. These verses are full of details, and Luke meant for it to be this way. What are we told in these verses? We are told when ("in the sixth month"), what happened ("angel Gabriel sent from God) and where ("to a city of Galilee named Nazareth"). We are also told who this happened to -- a virgin named Mary who was "betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph" and she was "of the house of David".
This is a very informative set of verses, and Luke provides these details not to bore us, but these should set us thinking. The details are historical claims that can be verified. To the first readers of the account, and even for us, this means that the historicity of Christmas can be verified.
The angel Gabriel appears to Mary and addresses her by saying "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you" (Luke 1:28). Notice that God is referred to as the "Lord", not the covenantal God ("LORD"), but the God of all power. Mary was "greatly troubled and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be" when she heard this (Luke 1:29). She was troubled because this announcement did not make sense. Who is this angel, and what did he mean that she was favored and a recipient of the blessings of this all-powerful God? What could this mean for her life? These verses show us that Mary is just like anyone of us. She wrestled with what was told to her, and thought through its implications. She was clearly aware that if this is true, it would break the peace, plans and predictability of her life. We'd often like to think that faith is the opposite of reason and that Bible characters were irrational and not real. We also assumed that our struggles are unique, and that if God appeared to us now, we will be forever transformed and no longer confused. But the Bible shows us people that are just like us, who are trying to make sense of God's plans and will.
As the story unfolds, we know that Mary's trouble would soon reveal itself in obvious ways. As a pregnant, unwed mother, she would soon be involved in a scandal. But Mary joins a line of disgraced mothers. In Matt 1:18-25, we have the genealogy of Jesus, and the deliberate inclusion of some in this list might be surprising.
| ‘Mother’ of Jesus | What kind of trouble? |
|---|---|
| Eve (1 Tim 2:15) | Plunged the world into sin |
| Tamar (Gen 38:24-26) | Disgraced daughter in law of Judah |
| Rahab (Jos 2:1) | Disgraced prostitute |
| Ruth (Deut 23:3-6) | Disgraced Moabite widow |
| Uriah’s wife (2 Sam 11:2-5) | Disgraced affair |
| Mary (Matt 1:6) | Disgraced birth, scandal of personal disgrace |
Mary joins a line of troubled and disgraced mothers of Jesus. Rahab and Ruth were not even Israelites, and Ruth in particular, was significant considering the prohibition against the entry of Moabites into the assembly of God in Deut 23:3-6. Bathsheba was also not explicitly named, and instead, referred to with respect to her former husband before she was embroiled in a public and political affair. And now, Mary, the birth mother of Jesus, was to face her own problems at the birth of Jesus.
The angel Gabriel notes her troubled mind, and responds with such insight to a woman that is filled with so much fear. He encourages her to not fear by assuring her once more that what is to follow is because she has "found favor with God" (Luke 1:30). Mary's encounter teaches us that encounters with God tend to trouble the soul. It stirs up in us anxiety and uncertainty and most of all, guilt, when we come before this God. God knows this, and this is why in so many instances in the Bible, His appearance is often accompanied by an assurance not to fear. How would you describe this kind of God? Do you see how gentle this God is, who also took time to comfort Mary? God did not merely see Mary a means to achieving His purposes. This is a God who is so gracious to troubled sinners. This is important for us to remember because this is the tone of the gospel. This God who came for the sick and the sinner, to give peace to those with troubled hearts. Is this the God you worship? How are you before Him? If your heart right now feels cold and distant, perhaps you have lost sight of who this God is, and who you are before God.
(B) A trusting mother (Luke 1:34-38)
Mary, we are told, has reservations about Gabriel’s words (Luke 1:34). Mary heard what the angel told her, and thought through it. She views the outcome through the lenses of her circumstances, and is puzzled because of how irrational it is. Bible characters are also thinking people.
Gabriel persuades her by telling her the power of God and giving Elizabeth as an example. He explained how her pregnancy will happen -- "the Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you". This incredible life-giving, life-creating power can only come from the Most High. Don't miss the language of the Spirit being used here ("overshadow"). It's almost as if the individual is gone and God works! He also gives her a case study, that of Elizabeth (Luke 1:36). Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, just like how Sarah, Hannah, Manoah's wife all conceived impossible babies. Gabriel also reminds her that "nothing will be impossible with God" (Luke 1:37).
How does Mary respond? Mary displays an incredible amount of faith (Luke 1:38). From her response, we know that she is aware of who she is ("the servant") and who God is ("the Lord". This prompts her to declare "let it be to me according to your word". This obedience and faith is one that has been thought through. Ps 131 also gives us a picture of what it means to trust God and be rested in Him. Like a weaned child with his mother, so is the Christian who trusts in God! What a picture of security and certainty this is!
How would you react if God interrupts your plans -- job, internship, holiday, wedding plans? Is God calling you to do something today? Maybe it is a ministry call, or a call to make a decision about a relationship? What call has God put before you that scares you to death, because it is an interruption to your otherwise pretty life? Don't forget too, that every time we open our Bibles, God calls us to something, and interrupts our lives.
(C) A rejoicing mother (Luke 1: 39-55)
After this, Mary proceeds to visit Elizabeth in order to verify the truth of what the angel said. A series of actions are given in Luke 1:39-45, and the way it is written, with short phrases and the repeated use of the word "and", conveys the excitement of the characters. Mary rushes because she wants to see if God's word is true and whether He keeps His promises.
When Elizabeth meets Mary, even her baby knew who Mary was and "leaped in her womb" (Luke 1:41b). Elizabeth "was filled with the Holy Spirit" and her words encouraged Mary (Luke 1:42-43). In fact, the words of Elizabeth provoked Mary to sing in Luke 46:-55).
Mary bursts into what is known as “the magnificat” in Luke 1:46-55. Her song is full of joy and it is important for us know what this joy is all about.
| Praise content in question | Reason for praise and what does it mean? |
|---|---|
| What will Mary’s soul do? (Luke 1:46-47) |
"Magnifies the Lord" -- To magnify involves taking something small to make it look big. There are 2 ways we can do so, using either a microscope or a telescope. As writer John Piper describes, "We are to magnify Christ, not like a microscope magnifies things but like a telescope magnifies things. Microscopes make small things look big; but telescopes make seemingly small things look like they really are: Huge!" "Rejoices in God my Savior"-- Rejoicing is an active, transitive verb that needs to be paired with an object. This delight and joy therefore had to be anchored in something, and for Mary, it was in God her Savior. |
| What are the reasons for this? (Luke 1:48-50) |
"For he has looked on the humble estate of his servant" "For behold, from now on all generations will call be blessed" "For he who is mighty has done great things for me" Mary saw how God has used his amazing power for her good and God's goodness amazed her and caused her to break out in song! |
| What has God done (past tense)? (Luke 1:51-54) |
Mary gives a list of all that God did. He has: "Scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts" This is a God who is so powerful, yet also worked in strange ways, passing over the world's choice of the rich and proud, but providing for and exalting those who are hungry and humble. |
Mary sings sings about the joy of God's amazing grace. At the end of her song, she brings to mind the covenant that God made with "Abraham and to his offspring forever" (Luke 1:54-55). The patriarchs of Israel were by no means people that were deserving or worthy. Abraham was an idol worshipper before God called him, and even after that, he lied and did not protect Sarah for fear of being killed by the Egyptian pharaoh. Isaac showed favouritism to Esau, and this led to problems in his family. Jacob was a deceiver. God works through unlikely people, and Mary now joins the ranks of those that God used.
This is what Christmas is about! God loves to confound the wisdom of the work and break our middle class pride. He chooses the lowly things to shame the wealth of the highly exalted. What do you think of Jesus Christ? He is the Savior who, the moment we think we know Him, shows us again that He may not be what we think He is! The words of the hymn "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" remind us of what God did in Christ. May we never grow so familiar with the gospel that we lift ourselves in God's eyes, because he humbles the proud and lifts up the lowly.
Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.