Luke 1:38 So Mary said, “Yes – I am the servant of the Lord. Let it happen to me according to your word.”
The world was in a bad state when Gabriel visited an “unimportant” teenaged girl in the insignificant town of Nazareth. According to Luke, the angel told Mary that she had been chosen by God. “You will give birth to a Son and will name Him Jesus. He will be called the Son of the Most High and will reign forever.” (Luke 1:31-33) Her answer would not only depend on faith to believe such a thing could happen, but massive courage and humility to agree to be used. Her response was “yes”.
We often imagine that if we say yes to God, the winds of the universe will shift in our favor as God removes every obstacle. Scripture reveals a different reality. Noah, Abraham, Moses, and all of the Old Testament heroes of faith experienced fierce opposition after agreeing to be used by God. The Christmas story is a miraculous event of profound joy. It is also the story of great hardship faced by an unlikely hero of faith. Gabriel told Mary that nothing was impossible with God, but he didn’t say that the path would be easy. It wasn’t.
In 2020, as we celebrate His birth, we should also consider the response and character of Mary. Today, as then, those who say yes to God need humility and courage.
We wish you a joyful Christmas and a courageous New Year!