Many a time, I’ve tried. I really have. But I just cannot imagine what it was like. To be a teenager engaged to one man and be told you would become pregnant with a child that was not his? To be told by an angel, of all things. That right there would be scary enough.

Mary found favor with God. She was the one chosen to give birth to the long awaited, much prayed for, Messiah. Savior. Deliver. She was blessed above all others.

Mary. A poor girl from the village of Nazareth. A descendent of the House of David. She was honored above all women who ever were and ever would be. Her son’s kingdom would never end.

How can you be the mother of the child of God? It’s difficult enough being the mother of a regular, everyday, garden variety child. But to raise the Son of the One True Creator God?

Like I said, I just cannot imagine it.

I can’t truly understand the flood of emotions that must have coursed through Mary’s every waking, and maybe sleeping, moment. Me? The vessel chosen to deliver the Messiah to the world? I believe that in God’s omnipotent, omniscient love and grace, he shielded Mary from the shadow of the cross for as long as he could.

Beyond the awesomeness of being chosen to carry Immanuel in her womb, Mary must have felt the pain of telling Joseph she was pregnant. Would he believe her? Really believe her? Fortunately, God took care of that when he sent an angel to inform Joseph of what was going on.

Then, of course, there were the neighbors. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Did the gossip sting Mary’s heart? God took care of that, too. When Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth, Elizabeth pronounced Mary held the Savior inside. Affirmation of who Jesus was. Who Mary was.

There were the angels. The shepherds. The wise men. Anna and Simeon in the temple.  Witness to the great thing the LORD God Almighty had and would do.

God continues to use his people to accomplish his plans. We won’t give birth to the Messiah, but like Mary we carry Christ inside us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Once we claim Jesus as our LORD and Savior, it becomes our responsibility to praise God for the great things he has done for us through his love, mercy and grace, and share that wonder with those around us.

Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.” Luke 1:46-50

I wish you well.

Sandy

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