And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Luke 1:46-49 (NRSV)
Imagine, if you can, the story of a young girl, around 14 years old, engaged to a man she barely knows, who is greeted by an angel from God with the news that she will carry and birth the Savior of the world. It’s a story that could only be told in a soap opera. It’s a story that would offend many in our society, and in her society, it is a situation that could get her killed. Yet this is exactly what happened.
A young virgin, engaged to Joseph, is told that this very thing will happen, has already taken place, and she must figure out how to deal with this outrageous news.
Anyone in her position today would probably brush it off as some sort of mental illness or hallucination, but Mary accepts this by faith and glorifies her God because God has chosen her for the most important event in all of history.
She believes that God has chosen her, not because she is worthy or that she has done something extraordinary, but because she is faithful and willing to accept this important responsibility. Mary, although unready, is willing, and she knows that her God knows what is good for the world and that she will be a part of the greatest story ever told.
This is the most wonderful and offensive story to ever be told, and even though it is offensive, we celebrate it every year with songs and gifts and trees and lights; yet, somehow we forget what it is that we really celebrate, the offensive, unbelievable, and life-giving story of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
Christmas is the season of the year when we all go a bit crazy with gifts and decorations, yet we forget just what this season is all about.
It is about two people, led by faith to do what God has asked them to do, even if it means a complete change in their plans for a family. It is God doing, through them, exactly what the world needed to be done, to bring salvation to a lost and undeserving world by using ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
We too are ordinary people called to do extraordinary things by celebrating this wonderful event, and we are called to share this Good News with the world.
It may sound like a cliché, but JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON, and like Mary, we magnify the Lord for all God has done for us.
May this Christmas season be one of great joy for you as you celebrate the birth of the Savior in Bethlehem, and may God bless you with peace and joy.
