Have a Mary Christmas! Let It Be

Luke 1:26–38 (KJV 1900)

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Introduction Background /Cultural Context

26 “In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.”

God sends an the angel, Gabriel the Messenger angel to Nazareth of Galilee to a virgin engaged to a man by the name of Joseph who was a decdndant to David of whom the Messiah would be born.

So prophecy was about to be fulfilled in Mary.

It through Mary’s encounter with the messenger of God that we understand the personal and powerful experience of Christmas that each of us can experience.

Mary is greeted by an Angel

Verse 28. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

The angel said you are “Highly favored…”  Or, “woman richly blessed”.  The Greek: can be translated “to cause to be the recipient of a benefit, bestow favor on, favor highly, bless”.

So, Mary was to be the recipient of a benefit or blessing from God. 

Had she done anything to earn this blessing?  No.  The blessing was bestowed upon her by God.  She didn’t earn God’s favor. 

Mary had been chosen by God. 

May I remind you, There is nothing any of us can do to earn God’s favor.  God chooses whom He will based not upon our merits but only according to His purposes.

Verse 29. “Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.”

Mary was confused.  She was dumbfounded. 

Maybe the angel had gotten her confused with somebody else?  She couldn’t imagine why she (of all people) would be visited by an angel or in what manner she was “highly favored”.

Mary was Lowly.  After all, Mary saw herself as a humble ordianry servant girl. 

If we skip ahead to Verse 48, and a portion of scripture that has been called “Mary’s Song” or “The Magnificat”, we read Mary’s own words: “…he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.”

Luke 1:48 “For he hath regarded the low estate (he has been mindful of the humble state) of his handmaiden:

By Mary making reference to her “Low or humble estate, suggests that her family was poor in Judah and that she ranked least in her father’s house.

Mary was a very young woman and as such she would have spent most of her days working in the fields tending crops or milking cows or goats.  She was not well-educated (according to the custom of the day) although she was obviously very intelligent. 

And might I add that, God specializes in taking humble, ordinary people who are faithful to Him and doing extraordinary things through them. 

Preach the Application - You Statement

You may feel insignificant and ordinary, like Mary, but god wants to do extra ordinary things through your life.

Proposition Statement:

We have commercialized Christmas so much, it is easy to get caught up and loose out on what it really means to have a Merry Christmas. 

From the angel’s visit to Mary, three are three principles within the text that if we will apply them to our lives, we are guaranteed to experience a Mary Christmas.

Mary encountered God’s Divine Purpose, Mary never doubted God’s promise and Mary allowed God to Disrupt her Plans. 

I. Mary Encountered God’s Divine Purpose

Luke 1:30–33 “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

THE WHAT - The Purpose of the visit, the Revealing of the Plan

Because, Before God activates His plan, he sends a message to His partner.

The angel said to Mary fear not!

Fear not -

See, the Lord desires to have God encounters with us so that He can reveal to us His divine purpose and plan for our lives.

Tension: But sometimes we allow intimidation, and fear to rob us from what God is getting ready to do through our lives.

But the reason why you have been experiencing these encounters is because - you have found favor with God!

Your lack of favor with people and your humble state in society is not an indication as to your Favor level in Heaven.

The Angels of the Lord encampeth around them that fear Him. And God wants you to know today that

There is Favor on Your Life

God doesn’t want us you to be fearful of his presence

God wants us to tune in and recognize his voice and have an encounter with His divine purpose. If we can pause to listen, we will recognize that the Lord is sending messages our way. Angels, as it were, through the preached word, through messages and dreams.

God never leaves His people in the dark. He reveals his plan to his people.

Psalm 103:7 “He made known his ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel.”

God has not stopped speaking, If you will listen, you will hear his voice speaking to you.

Application

Here it is God wants you to be in partnership with you in His Kingdom business- (Partnership with God)

God is about to reveal his plan before this year is over- What God is getting ready do so is so Big its going to leave you

II.    Mary never doubted God’s Promise

THE HOW

She didn’t allow her fear to cast doubt

34“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

Mary might have had temporary fear but she never doubted God’s promise

Because unlike Zechariah, Mary believed what the angel told her. 

Zechariah asked for a sign so that he could know for sure that what the angel Gabriel was telling him would actually come true.  As a result, he was punished by not being able to speak until John was born. 

Mary, on the other hand, did not ask for “proof”; she only questioned “how” or the manner in which it would happen since she was a virgin, not that it would happen at all, thus no punishment was inflicted on Mary as in Zechariah’s case.

So Mary believed God’s word.  She had faith that the things the angel spoke of would come to pass. 

She never questioned God’s power or ability, she only questioned the process. I know you will, but how will you do Will.

Sometimes God conceals the process - Don’t doubt his power

Job said I cant see him on the life or the right. I know know what direction he is. But I know that when He has tried me I shall come forth as pure Gold.

You may not know how, you may not know when, but He will do it!

37For nothing is impossible with God.”

35The angel answered her and said, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

Illustration

God has not changed- Overshadow- Holy Ghost

Genesis 1:1–3 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”

Sampson

In the wilderness - the Spirit hovered in the form of a cloud and a pillar of fire

In the Tabernacle plan- The Shekinah Glory hovered over the Holy of Holies

In the Upper Room- The Holy Ghost Sat upon them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.

Application

Let his Spirit hover over you this Christmas- Just Have Faith and Believe.

Be filled with The Holy Ghost this Christmas. It’s the only way to have a Mary Chrismas!

III.     Mary Allowed God to Disrupt Her Plans

Here is The Key Verse:

Luke 1:38 “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”

Without hesitation, Mary responded positively to God and said “MAY IT BE with me according to your word.” 

Mary didn’t have to think about it.  She didn’t tell the angel that she would get back to him. She didn’t say I need to sleep on it. No.  Without hesitation she answered “let it be to me as you have said”.  She gave no thought for herself, her plans, her problems. 

She simply said “yes”.

The New Revised Standard version translates Luke 1:38: “Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.”

The phrase “LET IT BE” is what grabbed my attention.

I like the way the New Living Translation has it as well.  “I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true.”

And here is the Tension: There are challenges that come with saying yes.

Just imagine the questions that must’ve run through Mary’s mind: - How do I explain this to my family? - What will Joseph say?  Will he believe me?  Will he divorce me? - What about my reputation? What about family’s reputation?  Will the people stone me to death? - Within her decision to be fully submissive to God’s call included her willingness to suffer ridicule, contempt, and loneliness; to suffer times of confusion, disappointment, and fear.

Mary didn’t let the fact that trouble was sure to come her way deter her from accepting God’s will for her life. 

Preach the Key- Here is how she could respond with a “Yes”

One of the main reasons that Mary believed God’s promise without hesitation was that she had an incredible knowledge of the scriptures.  Looking ahead in the chapter to verses 46-56 (a passage of scripture that has been called “Mary’s Song” or “The Magnificat”) One cannot help but notice that this portion of scripture looks like it was copied and pasted from the OT to the NT.  The reason for this is that Mary quotes and alludes to so many passages from the OT in her NT “psalm”.  Let me give you some examples:

The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-56)

46And Mary said:

46     “My soul exalts the Lord, (See 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Hannah’s Prayer. See Psalm 34:2)

47  And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. (See Habakkuk 3:18)

48  “For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; (See Psalm 38:6)

For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.

49  “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.

50  “and His mercy is upon generation after generation Toward those who fear Him. (See Psalm 103:17)

51  “He has done mighty deeds with His arm; (See Psalm 98:1; 118:5)

He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.

52  “He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. (See Job 5:11)

53  “He has filled the hungry with good things; (See Psalm 107:9) And sent away the rich empty-handed.

54  “He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy,

55  As He spoke to our fathers, (See Genesis 17:19; Psalm 132:11) To Abraham and his descendants forever.” (See Genesis 17:7)

So, what the angel was telling her came as no surprise to Mary.  She knew the prophecies and She was expecting the Messiah.  She just wasn’t expecting that she would be the mother of Messiah!  It’s important to note that Mary would have had no access to the Torah scrolls.  Everything that she knew of the scriptures she would have memorized.  Mary was obviously very well acquainted with the scriptures.

How well do you know the Bible?  Do you even own a Bible?  Are you taking the time each day to read God’s word?  Even just a few verses each day.  Are you memorizing scripture?  You know, it may just be that there is a direct correlation between how well we know the scriptures and our capacity for faith.  I don’t know.  I mean, think about it, the more you know about any subject the more comfortable you get to feeling about it.  The more you read about how God worked in the lives of ordinary people throughout the Old and New Testaments, the more you will be able to see God’s leading in your own life.  Your faith will be strengthened.

It was at the moment of surrender that caused the Holy Ghost to activate. “Let it Be”

THE WHEN

Luke 1:38-“I am the Lord’s servant”

When Mary uttered these words, at that very moment, a cloud came over her life and was there until the Lord Jesus returned from the dead. I believe that she knew it. 

She gave up everything to be the mother of our Lord Jesus.

SAY YES!

GOD DISRUPTED HER PLANS FOR HER LIFE (Tension)

I mean GOD DISRUPTS HER PLANS FOR HER LIFE ENTIRELY! She’s “pledged to be married” to Joseph…betrothed.  The traditional Jewish one year waiting period had already begun.   This “engagement” would last one year and was as binding as marriage itself…in fact it required a divorce to free one from this pledge…which is just what one could expect if they were to be found pregnant with child. So here she is, enjoying the most cherished plans of ones entire life…the point in her life when she’s the center of her family and friends attention…the bride-to-be!  NOW SHE IS TO BE THE CENTER OF THEIR SHAME AND SCORN.

Application

Know this that when God encounters you, he changes you for the Better. But know that even though His Purpose is greater than than anything you could ever imagine. When he comes to you he comes to Disrupt your plans.

In Luke 2, Mary was forewarned through Simeon of the pain she would go through…in predicting the crucifixion he said,”your soul too would be pierced.”  In bearing and loving this child, you will suffer the pain and agony of losing a child to the cruelest of deaths.

Now, I haven’t seen that scripture on a Hallmark card lately!   Why do you suppose that is?

BECAUSE WE’VE MISSED THIS GREAT TRUTH…THAT THE PRESENCE OF GOD IS BY NATURE…DISRUPTIVE…as Mary portrays so clearly….God  invaded her privacy, her plans, her passiveness toward life.  The wonderful thing is…

· MARY LETS GOD DISRUPT HER LIFE · MARY SURRENDERS HER PLANS TO HIS PRESENCE · MARY PLACES HER LIFE IN GOD, AND WHEN SHE DOES SO GOD PLACES HIS LIFE IN HER

Application

Just how sacred are my plans to God?  Do I presume God will honor them?  Do I secretly expect that I can enjoy God’s presence in my life on my terms? Without being disrupted? Mary learned otherwise.  Mary learned that THAT THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN OUR LIFE IS BY NATURE…DISRUPTIVE.

Have you let God disrupt your life?

Have you surrendered your plans to His presence?

Have you placed your life in God so that you can experience the blessing of God on your life?

Perhaps we’ve misunderstood what it means to have a MERRY CHRISTMAS…We need to look at Mary. 

She was a nobody.  She believed God’s promise and she was obedient to God’s will for her life.  We need to follow her example and say to God “Let it Be”.  It’s about placing our life in God, so that he can place his life in us.

Our Savior came to Mary in this unique historical incarnation and by the Holy Spirit he seeks to come to all.  God sent his Son that all who receive Him might be filled with His Spirit. 

The Bible says that Christ will come to all…live in all who say “Let it be.”   Mary’s life was changed forever, but I don’t think she would have had it any other way.

SO HAVE YOURSELF A TRULY “MARY” CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR… Perhaps you’ve never received this gift of the Holy Ghost that God wants to give you…never said “yes” to God.  Perhaps you’ve come to this Christmas season finding you simply feel more detached from His presence…because your “yes” to God has become quieted and quenched.

Maybe a part of you is emotionally guarded from letting God disrupt your privacy as he did Mary’s. Maybe a part of you isn’t too happy with your circumstances and has closed itself off from saying “yes” to God right where you are. Perhaps you’ve known some hardships like Mary did. You want God’s presence in your life but haven’t realized the role of your “yes” to God.

Our “yes” to God is more than passively resigning, it’s actively receiving Him.  Like Mary, today is a good day to say “Let it be”.

Did The angel accomplish his mission? Can God’s Will be done? Certainly, because she said Yes! Will you say yes?

She was not just satisfied with an encounter, The encounter was a message For her to obey.

God can send and angel again.

Yes Lord from the bottom of my heart.