Her life really started the day that an angel turned her life upside down and asked her to say yes to having God’s child (Luke 1: 26-38). It was a terrifying decision, nothing like the piously overblown Renaissance paintings depict it.
She knew people would gossip that she was either a liar or a nut case. Just picture what the ladies at her synagogue had to say about that explanation. At least Joe believed her after he got the word from an angel – what a sweetheart! (Matthew 1: 18-21) And her cousin Elizabeth was pretty supportive, too (Luke 1: 39-45).
Maybe it was good that the Romans ordered them out of town for the census before the baby was born but she can still remember every bump on that donkey ride. Bethlehem looked pretty good until they found out that all the motels were full. The stable was dirty, and it smelled. What a place to have your child (Luke 2: 1-38)!
After pausing a couple of minutes (to collect her thoughts again) she continues by telling you about the flight to Egypt with a baby followed by the hardships of living in a foreign country (Matthew 2: 15-18). She can really identify with today’s immigrants. Then there was the time her 12-year-old kid decided to disappear for three days during a trip just so He could show the elders in the Temple how smart He was. How “Junior high” of Him!!! (Luke 2: 41-49)
She had to be tough to raise Him and stand up to Him on occasion like she did at Cana (John 2: 1-12). Of course she was there when the going was roughest, and His friends deserted Him. Suddenly she was the mother of a felon dying a horrible death. (Matthew 26:1 to 27:56, Mark 14:1 to 15:41, Luke 22:1 to 23:49, and John 18:1 to 19:37)
Now realize that you have been sharing that cup of coffee with Mary—a real woman—smart, tough and loving – who made many hard choices, beginning with that first “yes.” No wonder all generations have called her “blessed!”
As we progress through this Advent season, I am finding it easy to reflect on two issues that are of importance in the next few weeks leading to Christmas.
The first is listening and the second is choice. In Genesis (Genesis 3:9-15, 20), we read about Adam and Eve and their inability to listen to God’s command regarding the eating of the forbidden fruit and the consequences associated with not doing so. In Ephesians (Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12), Paul has listened to God and has become an authority to speak on His behalf; and as such, Paul asks us to listen to his words as he writes about God’s great love for us. In fact, God loves us so much that He adopts us through Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:26-38), we see that although Mary was initially alarmed and troubled by the appearance of Gabriel, she listened to and was open to his message from God as Gabriel announced Jesus’ upcoming birth.
Then, there is choice. In Genesis, both Adam and Even make the choice not to listen to God and, instead, they act based on love of self, versus love of God. In Ephesians, Paul chooses to be God’s messenger and then notes that we are all chosen by God to live holy lives without the blemish of sin. And finally, in Luke we see a Mary who not only listens to God but chooses to accept His will by being the “handmaid of the Lord.”
With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season upon us, it's far too easy for consumerism, the love of self over others (i.e., “I want… I want…”), and other stresses that are so common this time of year to distract us from the true meaning of the Christmas season. Maybe it would helpful for all of us to avoid such temptations and, instead, set aside quiet time each day when we can truly listen to the words of God and reflect on the importance of following His words. My hunch is that as we open ourselves to God’s words of grace and love we will not only find in ourselves an inner peace, but a willingness to spread God’s words, much like Paul, through our acts of good will and charity toward others. In doing this, we are truly and genuinely choosing to be “handmaids of the Lord” and “who exist for the praise of His glory.”
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