EquippedMama

²⁶ In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ The angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one, the Lord is with you!” ²⁹ But she was greatly troubled by his words and began to wonder about the meaning of this greeting. ³⁰ So the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God! ³¹ Listen: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.³² He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. ³³ He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.” ³⁴ Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I have not been intimate with a man?” ³⁵ The angel replied, “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 holy; he will be called the Son of God. ⁶ “And look, your relative Elizabeth has also become pregnant with a son in her old age—although she was called barren, she is now in her sixth month! ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God.” ³⁸ So Mary said, “Yes, I am a servant of the Lord; let this happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Luke 1:26-38 NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Does anyone else ever feel like Christmas brings anything but a sense of peace? We are having our second child next week, and with the holidays fast approaching I find my mind racing to complete the “tasks” necessary for Christmas. Lights. (Indoors at least). Tree. (Check). Presents. (Well there’s Amazon for that). Mandatory Christmas books from the Library. (Check). Baking (maybe next year). Somehow I feel pressured to have my home “just so” for my family… and baby’s soon arrival puts a sense of urgency on everything.

Having a baby due in mid-December, however, has also reminded me of the wonder and the simplicity of the original Christmas: God’s Son was made human to be the sacrifice for my sins. Although sometimes I don’t feel at peace leading up to Christmas, the original Christmas was to bring us peace. Peace between us and God. This is Christmas. Mind-blowing. Humbling. Full of mercy and grace.

From the announcement message to the messenger, to the implications for the mother, these few verses highlight the miraculous nature of the first Christmas. An angel delivered the message to an unassuming Jewish girl. Faced with the daunting task of giving birth to the Son of God, Mary is reassured three times in these verses-“the Lord is with you” (vs. 28), “Do not be afraid… you have found favor with God!” (vs. 30), and
“nothing will be impossible with God” (vs. 37).

The Lord is with you (Matthew 28:20).

In the midst of doubtless questions and concerns, Mary is offered peace for her heart. This is the same peace that we are offered in the midst of our mothering, our striving, our weary hearts. This same announcement of Jesus’ birth should thrill our hearts, as we understand that his coming to earth was the promise of our salvation. For those of us who believe in his work alone for our forgiveness, these reassurances the angel offered Mary can be our hope, too.

You have found favor with God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Nothing will be impossible with God (Matthew 17:20).

In this season leading up to Christmas, take a break from the doing for just a moment. I know that with little ones silence can be elusive, but prioritize time to reflect on these truths. Praise the Lord that he humbled himself to be born a human for your sins. Take a moment to contemplate these verses. Allow them to be a balm to your soul and peace to your weary heart.

Merry Christmas, mamas.