EquippedMama

Happy New Year, Mamas.

For many, 2020 was a year that was sent off with grumbling remarks of “good riddance” or “I’m glad that was over.” Unlike any year in the recent past, people across the globe were impacted by disease, economic instability, isolation, and fear. Pandemic has meant much more than the threat of illness, it has meant months without seeing loved ones. It has meant sharp disagreements over safety measures. It has meant lengthy periods of isolation for those who are immunocompromised.

This has not been the first time that the world has seemed out of control. This is not the only time people have felt helpless. And yet, in the most fear-inducing of circumstances, God’s Word offers us the hope we need to live joy-filled lives.

Surrounding the birth of Christ there was much instability and reason for fear. Israel was under Roman occupation and so Jewish citizens had little personal freedom. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a young, unmarried girl, unprotected by the safety of wealth or a loving husband. When the angel to Mary that she, a virgin, would give birth to the Son of God, one of the first things he told her was “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God!” (Luke 1:30b).

Mary was not promised that her assignment to be mother of Jesus would be easy. The angel did not tell her that she would be spared ostracization or ridicule as a single mother. He did not promise that her fiancé would still agree to marry her. But he did reassure her that she had found favor with God.

More than focusing on how the baby would impact Mary, the angel’s message focused on the person and mission of Jesus. The angel made it clear that this was God’s promised one, the fulfillment of prophecies. This was God in flesh. The angel announced:

“You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.  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. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.”

 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.”

Luke 1:31b-33, 35.

Mary’s immediate response was verbal submission to the will of God. She identified herself as a servant of the Lord and a willing participant in His plan (Luke 1:38). Shortly thereafter, Mary went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, whose miraculous pregnancy had also been told her by the angel. Elizabeth responded to Mary’s arrival with a Spirit-filled exclamation: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child in your womb! And who am I that the mother of my Lord should come and visit me?” (Luke 1:42-43). Following their exchange celebrating the impending birth of Christ, Mary responded with a hymn of praise, traditionally called the Magnificat.

Mary began with these profound words:

My soul exalts the Lord,

and my spirit has begun to rejoice in God my Savior,

because he has looked upon the humble state of his servant.

For from now on all generations will call me blessed,

because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name;

Luke 1:47-49 NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Mary rejoiced in the Lord. She understood the importance of her role as mother of Jesus, but more importantly, she understood the importance of Jesus’ coming to earth. How else could a young girl respond to a frightening, overwhelming circumstance with the confidence that “he who is mighty has done great things for me?”

As we walk into a new year, we have the opportunity to worship the Lord as He continues to work out His plan for the world. Mary identified that her role in God’s plan was simply to be an obedient servant. She responded with submission and worship, knowing that Jesus’ birth was the important news, not her motherhood. As we look at her example, we must check our own hearts.

Are we excited about what Jesus is doing in the world today? Are we excited that we are the servants of God? Do we understand that our salvation is evidence that He who is mighty has done great things for us, too?

Let us not become overwhelmed with the circumstances of lives. Let us not look to a new year for change or hope. Rather, let us take a cue from Mary and rejoice that Jesus has come. Let us gladly accept our role as His servant, and faithfully carry out the work He has asked us to do. Let our lives be characterized by genuine worship for the great things that God continues to do in our lives. Let us learn to rejoice despite our personal circumstances, choosing to focus on Jesus and what He is doing in this world.

He is still mighty. He has done great things. Holy is His name.