Mary's "Yes!"

Well, we made it to December!

Yes, the pandemic continues to roam across the nations. Do we see anything but gloom and doom? I am seeing small signs of hope and optimism. People are reaching out to embrace the best feelings that enter our hearts at this special time of year.

You’ve probably heard this said over the past few weeks: ‘Christmas is going to be different this year!’ There may not be the usual public celebrations. Family gatherings, financial resources, gifts and travelling could all look different for you. Many of us have lost a lot this year and this brings great sadness and pain to our hearts.

But do you know what can never be taken from us? The true meaning of Christmas, that Jesus came to our world. If there was ever a time to embrace the gifts that Jesus brought to earth on that first Christmas, it is now. Hope! Love! Peace! Joy! This is what the world needs. And God wants us to receive these gifts today! The question is: what will your response be?

How can we forget Mary’s response? As a young woman she would have dreamed and made plans for her life. She was getting married and her thoughts were full of her future. After her encounter with the Angel Gabriel, Mary’s plans became God’s plans. Scripture tells us that when Gabriel appeared, Mary’s response was a resounding ‘Yes!’ She does pause to ask one quick question – ‘how can it be?’ – but her desire to follow God’s will is never in doubt. There was a reason behind her remarkable response: she had a deep, undeniable love for God, and she trusted him with all her heart.

God’s entrusting of his own son to an ordinary peasant girl has a strong impact on my faith and my joy. While many of us are moved that God chose this ordinary girl to be the mother of Jesus, we must remember that Mary’s response was anything but ordinary. It was extraordinary!

Mary's immediate reaction to Gabriel’s message was fear and confusion, but her spirit was settled by the words of Luke 1:30, ‘Do not be afraid Mary. You have found favour with God.’ She continued to respond with extraordinary obedience, as she answered, 'I am the Lord's servant ... May your word to me be fulfilled.' (Luke 1:38) She showed willingness to obey in spite of the opinions of others, in spite of the unknown. Whatever God wanted of her, she acknowledged it as the best.

Mary had extraordinary trust in the God she loved and served. Even though she could not see the master plan for her life or the life of her son, she trusted. She took great encouragement from the promise that 'nothing is impossible with God’. As Mary held her baby boy for the first time, could she ever have guessed the future that was to unfurl in front of him? Mary was willing to trust despite the unseen challenges on the journey ahead, because she knew that God would make the impossible possible.

And finally, Mary responded with extraordinary joy! Mary praises God with her whole being with a holy, deep, and divine joy. This joy was so extraordinary that it filled her soul and made her spirit sing: 'My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour ... for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name.’ (Luke 1:46, 49)

I pray that this Christmas will be your best one yet! May your eyes and heart be amazed more than ever by the extraordinary miracle of Christmas. Let’s celebrate Mary's faithfulness and courage - such a significant part in God's plan of salvation! Mary, in her extraordinary obedience, trust and joy, carried Jesus into our world. Jesus, who came to be our personal Saviour. This Christmas, may we be like Mary and offer the gift of extraordinary obedience, trust and joy to our Saviour, as we celebrate his birth.