Go Tell it on the Mountain | Mary

Sermon Title: "A Faithful Response to Christmas"

Text: Luke 1:26–39 (ESV) Main Idea: Mary’s response to the news of her pregnancy shows us how the faithful should respond to Christmas.

Introduction

Michigan Game - Wow! What a game!

1st Advent | 2nd Advent

Let me ask you a question: Have you ever noticed how people love to share good news? I mean, they just can’t help themselves! I remember one time I was standing in line at Harding’s, and this guy in front of me starts talking about his new car.

And man, he’s so excited—he’s going on and on about the features, the mileage, the color, the leather seats. I must’ve said, “Oh, man, that’s awesome,” at least five times before he finally stopped for air!

Here’s the thing: people love to share news that excites them. Whether it’s a new car, a new baby, or even a good deal they found at Target, we can’t wait to tell someone. Why? Because good news is meant to be shared.

And that, church, is why Christmas is such a big deal for us as Christians. Because it’s the ultimate good news. But before we dive into the good news, we’ve got to understand the bad news.

Here’s the bad news: You and I were separated from God because of our sin. We weren’t just struggling or having a bad day; we were spiritually dead, headed for eternal punishment, and guilty of every last sin we’ve ever committed against God and others. That’s the reality.

But here’s the good news—the best news: Christ came. He came to restore our relationship with God, to redeem our lives, and to fix what was broken. That’s why we celebrate Christmas. It’s not just about gifts or traditions; it’s about the 1st Advent, the coming of Christ into the world to save sinners like you and me.

Now, as Christians, we live in this tension. We celebrate the 1st Advent—Jesus’ first coming—while also waiting with eager expectation for the 2nd Advent, when Christ will return and make all things new.

So, the question is, what do we do in the meantime? How should we respond to the incredible news of Christ’s first coming while we wait for His return?

That’s what this series is about. We’re going to look at how different people in Scripture responded to the good news of Christ, and from their stories, we’re going to learn how we should respond. And today, we’re starting with Mary—the mother of Jesus.

Now, I want you to think for a moment about how you typically respond to news that catches you off guard. Maybe it’s an unexpected phone call, a diagnosis, a job offer, or even something as small as a change in plans.

How we respond in those moments often reveals what’s really going on in our hearts.

For example:

If I respond impatiently, does that tell me I’m patient? No.

If I respond graciously, does that tell me I’m gracious? Yes.

If I respond with fear, does that mean I don’t trust God’s plan? Well… maybe.

But here’s the truth: you and I are far more complex than those simple formulas. Sometimes, I’m patient—sometimes I’m not. Just ask my girls. Sometimes, I’m gracious—sometimes I’m not. Just ask my wife.

And here’s the kicker: sometimes, the right response to what God calls us to is fear. Fear doesn’t mean a lack of faith; sometimes it’s the appropriate response to the weight of what God is asking us to do. And as we look at Mary’s story today, we’re going to see that her initial response to the good news was honest, it was thoughtful, and ultimately, it was faithful.

So, as we dive into the text, I want you to keep this in mind: how we respond to the good news of Christmas—both the 1st Advent and the promise of the 2nd—matters. Let’s look at Mary’s story and see what we can learn.

I want to give you the main point for this morning before we read the passage: Main Point: Mary’s reaction to the news of her pregnancy shows us how the faithful should respond to Christmas.

Please Stand for the reading of God’s word:

Luke 1:26–38 (ESV)

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

This is the word of God. Let’s pray.

Part 1: Mary’s Reaction

She Contemplates It (vv. 26–29) We’ve got Gabriel, the angel, on the scene. Now, Gabriel is a big deal—one of only two angels named in the Bible. The other is Michael. Gabriel shows up in the Old Testament, giving Daniel insight and understanding. Then, in Luke 1, he appears to Zechariah to announce John the Baptist's birth. Six months later, here he is again, greeting Mary with, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”

What’s Mary’s response? She doesn’t freak out. She doesn’t start talking a mile a minute. Luke tells us she’s “greatly troubled” and tries to discern what kind of greeting this is. She reflects. She thinks deeply. She’s considering the weight of what’s being said. Although, Gabriel tells her to “not be afraid.”

Key Insight: Faith doesn’t mean avoiding hard thoughts, or not being afraid. The faithful process what God is saying and doing. They engage their minds, paying attention to God’s work and words.

She Questions It (vv. 30–38) Mary asks the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And notice something here—Gabriel doesn’t rebuke her. He doesn’t say, “How dare you question God!” Instead, he answers her.

This isn’t blind faith. Mary’s asking the right question with the right heart. She’s seeking understanding, not resisting God’s plan.

Key Insight: Questions are not the enemy of faith. God welcomes your honest doubts and meets them with grace, whether through His Word, His Spirit, or His people.

She Surrenders to It (v. 39) After Gabriel lays it all out, Mary responds with these incredible words: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Now, that’s surrender. She doesn’t have all the answers. She doesn’t know how it’s all going to work out. But she says, “God, I’m Yours. I trust You.”

Key Insight: Surrender isn’t passive. It’s not throwing your hands up in defeat. It’s actively trusting in God’s goodness, even when His plans flip your world upside down.

Part 2: Our Response

Contemplate It: The Faithful Think Deep

Let’s get real for a second. Christmas isn’t just about gifts and decorations, is it? We say it all the time: “Jesus is the reason for the season!” And we mean it—at least with our words. But if we’re honest, our actions don’t always line up, do they? I mean, how many of us spent more time thinking about Black Friday deals, than thinking about what we were thankful for… or what to get our kids for Christmas than we do about the actual meaning of Christmas?

But Mary… Mary gives us a different example. In Luke 1, when Gabriel shows up with this incredible news, she doesn’t just move on to her to-do list. She doesn’t say, “Thanks for the update, Gabriel. I’ve got to figure out what I’m wearing for the census.”

No, she ponders. She discerns. She thinks deeply about what this means.

And that’s our invitation too. To pause, to contemplate, to let the story of Christmas sink deep into our hearts. Because here’s the thing: when you really think deeply about what God has done through the first Advent, it changes you.

When you see how much God loves you—that He would send His only Son to save you—it makes it a little easier to love that family member who drives you crazy at Christmas dinner.

When you see how patient God is with you, even when you mess up time and time again, it gives you more patience for your kids when they’re bouncing off the walls from too much candy.

When you see how gracious God is with you, it stirs up a desire to be gracious with others, even when they don’t deserve it.

The more we contemplate the story of Christmas, the more our lives begin to look like Jesus. And when our lives reflect Christ, the Fruit of the Spirit becomes more evident—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

And isn’t that what we want this time of year? Love, joy, and peace?

But it doesn’t stop there. Contemplating Christmas also fills us with hope. It reminds us that the first Advent was just the beginning. There’s a second Advent coming—the day when Jesus returns to make all things new. That’s why we wait with eager expectation.

You know, that’s part of why Christians started the tradition of giving presents under the tree. It’s supposed to remind us of what it means to wait with anticipation, to celebrate the gift of Christ and look forward to His return. But let’s be honest—we’ve kind of lost that meaning, haven’t we?

In Matthew 24:42–44, Jesus tells us, “Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming… You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Christmas isn’t just about looking back at what God has done; it’s about looking forward to what He’s going to do.

So here’s the challenge: This season, slow down. I know it’s hard. I know the calendar is packed, and the to-do list is long, but carve out time to read the Christmas story and celebrate it. Sit with it. Ask God to help you feel the weight of what He’s done for you.

And as you do, don’t stop there. Let it point you forward. Let it fill you with hope for the redemption of the entire world when Christ returns. Because just like Mary, we’re called to think deeply, to discern what God is doing, and to live in eager expectation of what’s to come.

This Christmas, don’t let the rush steal the wonder. Contemplate it. Celebrate it. And let it change you from the inside out.

Question It: The Faithful Are Curious

Let’s zoom in on Luke 1:34 for a second. Mary hears this unbelievable news from the angel about how she’s going to have a baby, and not just any baby—the Messiah, the Savior of the world! And what’s her response? She asks a question. “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

Now, notice this—Mary’s question isn’t rooted in doubt; it’s rooted in curiosity. She’s not saying, “This can’t happen.” She’s saying, “God, I trust You, but can You help me understand?” There’s a big difference.

Faithful men and women ask questions like little kids ask their parents. Have you ever been around a little kid who’s in that “Why?” phase? Why is the sky blue? Why do birds fly? Why can’t I have candy for breakfast? It’s endless! But their questions come from a place of wonder, trust, and a desire to understand.

Now contrast that with teenagers. Yo, I’ve got teenagers in my house, and let me tell you, their questions are different. It’s not “Why is the sky blue?” It’s “Why do I need a time limit on my phone? Will you buy me this? Why can’t I stay out till midnight?” You see the shift? Somewhere along the way, we move from curiosity to selfishness. We stop asking questions to understand and start asking questions to get what we want.

And guess what? Even the disciples did this! In Matthew 18, they’re not asking Jesus about the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven; they’re arguing about which one of them is the greatest. And Jesus hits them with this: “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

What’s Jesus saying? He’s saying, “You’ve got to get back to that childlike faith. That humble, pure, receptive heart.” And you know what ties all that together? Curiosity.

Here’s the thing: God is not afraid of your questions. He welcomes them! In fact, He loves it when we come to Him with our honest, childlike curiosity. Questions like, “God, how could You love someone like me? How can I trust You in this situation? How will You work all of this for good?”

These are the kinds of questions that deepen your faith because they drive you closer to God.

So here’s the challenge: As you contemplate the Christmas story this year, bring your questions to God. Not the selfish, “God, what can You give me?” questions. But the honest, curious, “God, help me understand Your plan” questions. Study the Word. Dig into the story of the first Advent. Ask God to reveal Himself to you, because He loves to reveal Himself to those who seek Him.

Listen, faith isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about trusting the One who does. So this Christmas, be curious. Ask the questions. And let God blow your mind with the answers.

Surrender to It: The Faithful Trust God

Surrender to It: The Faithful Trust God Luke 1:38 says, “And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’”

Let’s just pause right here. This is a teenage girl. She’s probably 13, 14, maybe 15 years old. She’s not even married yet. She’s got plans! Dreams! She’s probably been daydreaming about her wedding, scrolling Pinterest—okay, maybe not Pinterest, but you get the idea—and then the angel shows up and completely interrupts everything.

And what does she say? “Let it be to me according to your word.” Do you know what that is? That’s surrender. That’s faith. That’s saying, “God, I trust You even when I don’t understand You.”

St. Augustine said, “God does not expect us to submit our faith to Him without reason, but the very limits of our reason make faith a necessity.”

What that means is this: God isn’t asking you to check your brain at the door. He’s given us reason and intellect. But the truth is, no matter how smart you are, no matter how much theology you know, there will come a point where your brain just runs out of road.

There are things about God you can’t calculate, control, or fully comprehend.

And isn’t that what Christmas is all about? Think about it. The God of the universe put on flesh, stepped out of heaven, and entered this messy, broken world as a baby. A baby! Born to a virgin in a no-name town, in the middle of nowhere. You can’t make this stuff up!

But why?

Because we couldn’t save ourselves, so God did what we could never do. Christmas isn’t about what we do for God; it’s about what God has done for us.

And the only right response to that is surrender. To say, “Lord, I’m Yours. Use me however You want.” That’s what Mary did. She didn’t know how it was all going to work out. She didn’t have all the answers. But she trusted the One who does.

Let me ask you this: What’s one area of your life where you need to surrender to God this Christmas? Maybe it’s your plans. You’ve got this perfect timeline mapped out, and God’s saying, “Do you trust Me?” Or maybe it’s your fears. You’re holding on so tight to control, but God’s whispering, “Let go. I’ve got this.” Or maybe it’s your future. You’re standing at a crossroads, trying to figure out what’s next, and God’s just asking, “Will you trust Me with what you can’t see?”

This Christmas, don’t let the decorations and the traditions distract you from the main thing. The main thing is this: God is good, He’s faithful, and He’s trustworthy. Surrender to Him. Like Mary, say, “Lord, I’m Your servant. Let it be to me according to Your word.”

And watch what He does when you let go of control and let Him take over. Because I promise you this—His plans are so much better than yours.

Conclusion

So here’s the question for us, church: What’s your response to Christmas this year? Not just the lights, the gifts, or the music—but to the reality of what God has done and is doing through Christ.

Mary shows us the way. She teaches us that the faithful think deeply, ask humbly, and trust completely.

Listen, this Christmas isn’t just about celebrating the 1st Advent—it’s about preparing for the 2nd. The angel’s words to Mary echo through history: “For nothing will be impossible with God.” That was true when God stepped into our broken world to redeem it, and it’s true today as we wait for His return.

So, what’s God calling you to do with this good news? Maybe it’s surrendering an area of your life you’ve been holding onto. Maybe it’s stepping into a conversation with someone who needs to hear about Jesus. Or maybe it’s simply slowing down enough to sit in awe of God’s grace.

Whatever it is, remember this: The story of Christmas isn’t just good news; it’s your good news. It’s God saying, “I love you, I’m with you, and I’m for you.”

So this week, let’s be like Mary. Let’s respond with faith. Let’s respond with surrender. And let’s live in the hope of the promise that the One who came is coming again.

Merry Christmas, church. Now go tell somebody about the good news. Let’s pray.

Benediction:

Based on Luke 2:10-11

Go forth with the joy and peace of the good news: A Savior has been born, Christ the Lord. May your hearts be filled with His light, and may your lives proclaim His glory to all the world. Amen. Go in His peace!