Volume 26, Number 48                                                   December 16, 2001

                                              Have A Mary Christmas

   Think what God could do through his people if each of us would commit to having a Mary Christmas -- a Christmas in which we, too, would allow the Holy Spirit to come upon us so “the power of the Most High” overshadowed us (Luke 1: 35).

   Think of the difference it’d make in this world if we followed Mary’s example and said yes to God’s interruption, surrendering our plans and priorities to the seemingly senseless and surreal.

   Think of the power that would prevail if we stopped waiting for answers, stopped worrying about our reputation, and stopped wondering how everything would end.

   Likely only 15 years old, Mary was “confused and disturbed” when the angel Gabriel appeared out of nowhere with news of her incredible mission.  But a well-ordered heart allowed the scared to make room for the sacred (Luke 1:29).  “Don’t be frightened, Mary,” said the messenger, and she wasn’t.  At least, not to the point of running.

   But make no mistake.  The nativity had nothing to do with naivete or youthful confidence.  When Mary goes to see her older cousin, Elizabeth, we learn for the first time why God may’ve placed within this humble country girl the world’s most important womb.   “You’re blessed,” says Elizabeth, “because you believed that the Lord would do what He said.” (v.45)   If only we would, too.  If only we would put aside our preconceived ideas and let the Lord reign.  Our lives would be pregnant with godly possibilities.

   Through Mary, the Extraordinary was born of the ordinary, and so it is with us.  The grace and power of God are best displayed when his strength strips away our weakness;  when people recognize His work, knowing the power and results couldn’t possible be our own.

   Like Mary who saw herself as nothing more than “a lowly servant girl” (v. 48), we must have true humility, without using it as an excuse.  Too often, “I’m not worthy” is code for, “I’m not willing.”  Instead of letting fear and doubt scare us off, we must let love spur us on.  “I‘m the Lord’s servant and I’m willing to accept whatever He wants,” Mary tells the angel.  “May everything you have said come true.” (v. 38).  And of course it does.

   Of all the ways Mary could’ve described herself, she chose a word loaded with meaning and the full measure of her confidence in God.  “Servant” is better translated “bondslave”.  In the first century, most people toiled involuntarily, born into bondage or sold into servitude for failure to pay their debts.

   But every once in a while, servants developed a deep sense of love for a compassionate master, voluntarily foregoing freedom and committing themselves to lifelong service.  Whenever such a choice was made, the servant’s ear was pierced in a public ceremony to symbolize devotion-above-duty, making the servant a “bondslave”.  In just such a way, Mary chose servitude over mere service.

   If there’s one more lesson to be learned from her experience, it’s the gut-wrenching reality that, in the work of God, almost every privilege brings its own pain.  “This child will be rejected by many,” the prophet Simeon warned Mary when Jesus was just eight days old.  “And a sword shall pierce your very soul.” (Luke 2:34,35).  Even today, a pierced ear and a pierced soul seem almost inseparable, especially when others don’t understand or support the mission that’s uniquely ours.

   But, like Mary, we must each embrace the call of God.  Let the Spirit overshadow your will and all your ways.  Believe the Lord will do what He says and you’ll be blessed.  Be his bondslave, willing to accept whatever He wants.  In other words, have a Mary Christmas and you, too, will be blessed with a labour of love.    

--by Rick Gamble, published in Cross Current, Brantford, Ontario. Reprint in non-profit publications only.