Christmas Characters- pt 2 Mary

When we think of Mary in the Christmas story so much of the focus is on her being pregnant and how Joseph will react. Yet, Mary is a lot more complex than that. And a lot of that complexity comes thru in the song recorded in toward the end of Luke 1.

Called the Magnificat, it shows us that, although young, this is a lady who has a deep relationship with God and who knows that she is in good hands.

We need those kinds of reminders today, because many of us face the unexpected, like Mary did. And in those moments we need to remember who holds the present and the future.

First, let’s look at Mary’s reaction to the unexpected. In vs 26-37 an angel shows up and tells this young woman that she is pregnant even though she has never slept with a man- even her fiancee.

Friends, try and imagine how you react to that one- much less explain it to your parents and your fiancee. (We will look at Joseph’s response next week)

Luke Comments

Although during this stage the couple in some instances cohabited, this was the exception. An engagement was legally binding, and any sexual contact by the daughter with another person was considered adultery. The engagement could not be broken save through divorce (Matt 1:19), and the parties during this period were considered husband and wife (Matt 1:19–20, 24). At this time Mary likely was no more than fifteen years old, probably closer to thirteen, which was the normal age for betrothal

Luke Comments

Mary had been “graced” by God in that she had been chosen to bear God’s Son (1:31, 35). She had not been chosen for this task because she possessed a particular piety or holiness of life that merited this privilege. The text suggests no special worthiness on Mary’s part

And yet, in verse 38, Mary’s response is one of obedience.

Luke Comments

Whereas Zechariah and Elizabeth provide an example for the reader of true discipleship in their obedience to the commandments and regulations of the OT (1:6), Mary is exemplary because of her submission to God’s will

I am terrible at this. the unexpected, unwanted shows up and so often my reaction is- “Fix this!” And if God does not move quick enough to fix it I go off and try and fix it myself.

Think about that in light of what we talked about last week- God is ahead of us and behind us. He’s not surprised. He’s got this. And Mary at 14-15 grasps this. That’s amazing.

The next thing I love about Mary is in the middle of all that is going on with her, she wants to go and see what else God is up to and celebrate with Elizabeth.

Look at verse 39- “with haste.” Y’all she is in a HURRY! When God is at work, His people do not want to miss what He is doing.

Luke Comments

This should not be interpreted as an attempt to prevent Mary’s neighbors in Nazareth from knowing that she was pregnant. Rather Luke here described Mary as a model believer eagerly responding in obedience to the heavenly message

Can you imagine the contrast? This young girl and much older woman- both pregnant, both with God doing miracles. And then the baby in Elizabeth’s womb LEAPS at the sound of Mary’s voice.

Confirmation!

Luke Comments

Just as John the Baptist in his ministry was to be Jesus’ precursor and prepare his way (1:17, 76), so even here he prepared the way, i.e., he announced the Messiah’s presence by leaping in his mother’s womb

Church Mary goes to see what God is up to, and Gos uses it as a reminder to her that He is really in control.

When is the last time we were in the midst of the unexpected, and instead of running away from God, we ran TO Him- so He could confirm we were in the right season.

We don’t need to run from God. He’s too fast for us anyhow. And He isn’t going to leave us. In fact, He is going to sustain us. And see us through, even if we didn’t start the best, we can still finish well.

I mean, we are not all Mary, we are not all going to start off resigned. Elizabeth’s husband didn’t. Yet, he too got to see God’s glory in the birth of John.

You don’t have to be ashamed of doubting or struggling, but you don’t have to continue in that way either. Come back to trust and obedience, like a 14 year old girl.

And now we come to the song. Mary’s response to Elizabeth’s words is to worship.

Before we look at the words, can we please take a moment to see how perfect her response is. When we are in the middle of seeing what God is doing, how can we do anything but worship?

(Nana in 2022- back to worship)

And to worship in those moments is a choice. And Mary makes that choice.

Luke Comments

Mary praised God for what he was about to do and for the part she was privileged to play in his plan

Let’s look at the song:

verses 46-49- first she makes very clear she knows WHO she is and WHO has done these great things for her- she has not earned this or been worthy of this- she is elevated and blessed because God decided (v49)

Luke Comments

In this verse it may refer to the low state or status in which Mary was held by the standards of this world. Her child would also share this low estate, being born in a manger and of poor, insignificant parent(s). Yet the salvation of which Mary rejoiced also looks beyond her to the nation of Israel

Luke Comments

As affirmed in Deut 10:21, God does “great things.” Whereas in Deuteronomy this refers to God’s having worked his wonders for Israel in leading them out of Egypt, here the “great things” refers to the virginal conception of Jesus, who in his ministry would bring about the events described in Luke 1:51–55. Since this involves not only Mary but is for all believers, perhaps we should understand “for me” as meaning “to me,” although the parallel with 1:48 favors “for me

Church we need to have this attitude. God is not waiting for us to “earn” a blessing. He is actively looking for ways to bless us because that is His nature! He wants good things for us- even when we cannot see how good they are in the moment.

Think about it- Mary’s situation could be viewed by her as a disaster, a humiliation, the end of her life as she knows it. She chooses to embrace it and bless God for it.

And she goes on with this theme in verses 50-53.

Mercy, strength, justice, provision.

Mary says God is enough to meet the day. And good to care for His people.

Luke Comments

Whereas the first strophe of the Magnificat refers to the great things the Mighty one had done to Mary, the second strophe is a prophetic forward look at the results of the ministry of Mary’s child

Church, God is who you need in the moment. He is full sustenance. A capable deliverer. Healing. Safety. Endurance. The list goes on!

And sometimes in our fear or disappointment or anger, we run to the wrong things instead of the real thing.

We need to learn from a 14 year old girl. God is enough.

And finally verses 54-55.

God is faithful. He does not fail or quit or abandon His people in the middle of the storm. He comes through.

Mary’s song concludes with this declaration. And sometimes church, that’s all we have. Our declaration that we know God is going to come thru, even though we cannot see it.

Danny and Annalise introduced me to this song a year or more ago. Praise Before My Breakthrough.

And some days, that song, that promise, is all I got. That I am going to worship God in the midst of the crap storm that is my day, my week, my life. and trust that somewhere, even where I cannot see it, God is working things out for my best.

That’s why I need that baby that Mary was carrying in my life. To hold me together when my world is falling apart.

What are you trusting in during the unexpected? Who is holding your world together?