I have always loved this picture of Mary. It doesn't show her as a mother who was just getting ready to deliver. It shows her as a pure, young lady. This is how I pictured her as the angel came to visit her.
Every Christmas, as a woman and a mother, I find myself focusing on Mary. I tend to view her as an example. After all, she was the only woman deemed suitable to carry God's only Son. The Father in flesh. She must have been a remarkable woman. I can only imagine the many ways that I continue to daily fall short.
I specifically love The Magnificat. This actually reminds me of Mariam's song of deliverance after the Israelites passed the Red Sea. Full of praise. Full of humbleness. Full of Awe. I find myself so many times trying to express my feelings like this. And just can't seem to find the right words.
Luke 1:46-55 is Mary's famous prayer/praise. It starts off by saying, "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior." I can only imagine the feeling that she must have been feeling. How her spirit and mouth could not contain the praise and emotions that she must have been experiencing. After all...she had Christ residing in her. Oh wait...so do we! So, why can't we speak like this? Mary was the greatest servant of all to Christ. She was the mother who knew from the moment He was conceived with in her, that she would raise a son, only for Him to die. For her. And the rest of us. I was only pregnant for 11 weeks, and knew that my little one would die. It was heartbreaking. But, imagine delivering a darling child. Watching that sweet little boy grow up. Watching Him become THE PREACHER of all preachers. THE TEACHER of all teachers. THE GREATEST PHYSICIAN of all times. And knowing that this mighty Man, yet God, would die as you watch. And not only would He die, but He would die for you...His mother. Mary must have felt so much guilt. So much pride in Christ (the kind of pride that is a godly pride;) ) So much sadness. So much joy. She probably had a hard time coming up with the words to describe how she felt.
I love how Mary responds to the angel in verse 38: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to Thy word." I can honestly say that when I discovered that the child that I carried was going to die, I did not say, " Behold your servant...be it unto me..." At least not right away. It took me days... and then it was still with a closed fist at times. I can honestly say that there are times that my fists are closed as I think about the ministry. Mary opened her heart to a ministry beyond our imaginations. I don't think that I would be able to say...Be it unto me. How embarrassing. This is why this scripture is so important to me at this time of the year. It reminds me of what kind of woman I should be. I lack in so many areas. And I pray that someday God would deem me worthy and that I might be able to say, "For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His name." (vs 49)
***By the way this picture is taken from One Wintry Night by Ruth Bell Graham. If you do not own this book, I HIGHLY suggest that you buy it and read it to your children each Christmas. It has lead many people to Christ...including 3 of my Sunday School kids! Amazing story of the need for a Christ from the beginning of time, to our current estate.***
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