Mary’s Christmas
Luke 1:26-38
Most of us recognize that Christmas can actually be one of the most stressful times of the year. For pastors and their families things do not usually slow down—instead things just get busier. For many in the church and community there are those feeling of loneliness. There is the experience of grief for some of you and we can develop a bad case of the Christmas blues. All of this at a time when we sing songs like Joy to the world and use phrases like peace on earth. For many, Christmas can still be a very stressful time.
When I look in the scripture I cannot imagine anyone more stressed about the first Christmas than Mary. The Virgin Mary received one of the greatest surprises in history; a surprise that turned her world upside down. When we look back at the life of Mary I see 2 extreme points of view that have surfaced.
1. Many believers have chosen to worship Mary.
2. Others have chosen to completely ignore Mary.
The scripture does not support either approach. Let me begin this morning by giving you a quick list of the facts that we know about Mary.
1. Her father was Eli. 2. Mary had a cousin named Elizabeth. Elizabeth was the mother of John the Baptist. This means John and Jesus were cousins. 3. Mary was very young. Some Bible scholars say she could have been as young as 14. 4. She was poor. 5. She was a strong woman of faith and was full of God’s grace. 6. She was promised to Joseph. 7. She was a virgin.
Now these are basically the facts that we know about Mary. And it is perhaps all we need to know because Christmas is not about Mary; Christmas is about Jesus. With that said there are some powerful truths we can gain/see in the life of Mary. She was chosen to carry the Son of God in her womb. Look at these things with me.
1. God often chooses to use those that the world would reject. Vv. 26-28. When the story opens, Mary has been pledged to Joseph. It is at this point that God steps down out of heaven into human history. He is about to invite a woman who is relatively unknown to the world to give birth to the very son of God. He does this through an angel named Gabriel. Some would have discounted Mary because she was so young. She was from a poor family and it is likely she was not able to read due to her limited resources.
In some churches today Mary is place in a superior place of honor. The National shrine of Mary Queen of the Universe is in Orlando. There you can see an 8 ft. marble statue of Mary. Now look at v. 28. A phrase commonly used in some churches is the phrase, Hail Mary full of grace. It makes Mary an object of worship and according to those churches it is based on v. 28. However this verse never uses that phrase. So I want to speak to that a bit further.
Mary was a godly woman who is worthy of being honored. She was chosen to bear the Son of God. The Bible says she was highly favored but Mary was not a mediator between God and man. Paul himself tells us “there is but one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1st Timothy 2:5.
Here is one way to look at this—if you’re sick and you go to the doctor and there are two doors you could walk through when you get there…two options. On one door it says “doctor’s office” and on the other door is says, “Mother of the doctor.” Which one do you want to walk through? No disrespect to her but I want to see the Great Physician in person. I don’t want to talk to his mother.
2. God promises an answer to Man’s sin problem. Genesis 3:15 and Isaiah 7:14. Vv.29-38. Mary had no idea what to make of this. What do you do when a complete stranger comes up to you and says this is your lucky day; you have been chosen for a special blessing. How do you respond to that? But Mary stopped … she pauses to consider what all of this means. In v. 30-34 the angel says….
Every Jew at that time would have been well aware of the prophecy of the coming of Jesus. The arrival of the Savior was long anticipated. Mary, however would have been the last to imagine that God’s purpose would be fulfilled through her. 700 years before the birth of Jesus the prophet Isaiah said, “therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son.” Those are amazing words. The virgin shall conceive. Impossible. But that’s what the text says. The Bible clearly teaches the virgin birth and belief in the virgin birth is essential to the sinless nature of Jesus Christ.
Think about it. If Jesus was born of natural parents like you and me then He was born a sinner and would need a Savior for Himself. If He had sin of His own, he could not have died as the substitute for our sins. Through Mary God sent an answer to our sin problem. That answer is Jesus Christ.
3. Mary teaches us that God is not limited by what is physically impossible. Vv. 35-38. Mary asks an important question, “How will this be?” And the angel answers the Holy Spirit will come upon you and overshadow you. In short, a miracle will take place. Mary will suddenly be with child. V. 36-37. Of course the two situations are not the same. Mary is very young. Elizabeth was perhaps 70 years old. But the point is that both are examples of human impossibilities being made possible by God. As Gabriel prepares to leave, His words say it all …”for nothing is impossible with God.” You should underline that sentence in your Bible. Because it’s still true today. Let me ask you….what are you facing right now?
• Is it fear? Nothing is impossible with God.
• Can’t get along with your family? Nothing is impossible with God.
• Think you will never be able to forgive? Nothing is impossible with God.
• Think you’ll never feel capable? Nothing is impossible with God.
• Think you’ll never feel loved? Feel like you’re too tired to go on? Feel like you’ll never get out of debt? NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD.
Listen. God is not limited by what is physically impossible for us.
• Jesus calls out Lazarus after 4 days in the grave
• Jesus changed water to wine at a wedding. He can still change a marriage.
• Jesus healed the incurable. The ones who had no hope whatsoever.
He is not limited by what is physically impossible for us. He is not limited to OUR resources.
4. Following God will always cost us something. V. 38. Mary’s response to the angel was let it be to me according to your word. It was Mary’s decision but let’s not underestimate what it cost Mary to say yes to God.
• Gone are her days of a big wedding
• All her wedding plans—out the window
• There would be misunderstanding by her friends and certainly by the general public.
• Rumors would be flying everywhere…...people whispering behind her back
Simeon speaks in the next chapter and he puts it this way….2:35. Mary risked everything to follow God. No idea how Joseph would respond. So her future, her marriage, her reputation and actually her very life were in danger. Deuteronomy tells us that a woman with a child out of marriage would be stoned to death. Knowing all of this Mary said let it be to me according to your word. It is a statement of courage, of certainty, of confidence, of conviction.
Luke 1:47. The woman who gave birth to our Lord needed a Savior as well. And so do we. Mary needed a Savior. Joseph needed one. The Pope, the pastor…all need a Savior. God has no grandchildren. Hey you’re special…you get a free pass. None of that.
Romans 3:23. John 3:16.
