The Heart of Mary

CHRISTMAS

Little Mary of Nazareth was the apple of God's eye at a very early age. This young Jewish girl was chosen above every other Jewish girl in her generation to be the mother of our Lord Jesus. God saw her sincere and holy devotion to Him even in hard times, knowing those qualities would enable her in the turbulent years ahead to hear and obey Him even when she didn't understand.

Not for a moment do we revere Mary of Nazareth above Jesus, our Lord and Savior! But we can be inspired by her incredible faith, devotion, and absolute surrender and trust in her God. She knew God's laws and loved Him with all her heart. And like all Jewish people, she, too, was waiting for the Messiah to come and deliver them from bondage.

God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth... to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

"The Holy Spirit shall come upon you and the power of God shall overshadow you so the baby born to you will be utterly holy--the Son of God." Luke 1:26-37

Then Joseph, her fiancé, being a man of stern principle, decided to break the engagement but to do it quietly, as he didn’t want to publicly disgrace her.

As he lay awake considering this, he fell into a dream, and saw an angel standing beside him. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “don’t hesitate to take Mary as your wife! For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a Son, and you shall name him Jesus (meaning ‘Savior’), for he will save his people from their sins…

When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel commanded, and brought Mary home to be his wife, but she remained a virgin until her Son was born; and Joseph named him “Jesus.” Matthew 1:19-25

Elizabeth (Mary’s cousin) exclaimed to Mary, “You are favored by God above all other women, and your child is destined for God’s mightiest praise. What an honor this is, that the mother of my Lord should visit me! When you came in and greeted me, the instant I heard your voice, my baby moved in me for joy! You believed that God would do what he said; that is why he has given you this wonderful blessing.”

Mary responded, “Oh, how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and now generations forever shall call me blest of God. For he, the mighty Holy One has done great things to me. His mercy goes on from generation to generation, to all who reverence him.” Luke 1: 42-50

(Simeon): "...I have seen the Savior you have given to the world. He is the Light that will shine upon the nations, and he will be the glory of your people Israel!"

Simeon blessed them but then said to Mary, "A sword shall pierce your soul, for this child shall be rejected by many in Israel, and this to their undoing. But he will be the greatest joy of many others. And the deepest thoughts of many hearts shall be revealed." Luke 2:30-35

(The shepherds) ran to the village and found their way to Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.

The shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds' story expressed astonishment, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and often thought about them. Luke 2:16-19

(John the Beloved): "Standing near the cross were Jesus' mother, Mary, his aunt, the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside me, his close friend, he said to her, 'He is your son.'

"And to me he said, 'She is your mother!' And from then on I took her into my home." John 19:25-27

Yes, Mary was highly favored by God! But to whom much is given, much is required. She said YES back then and she never stopped saying yes to God. And just as He loved Mary of Nazareth.............

Note: Some Bible scholars and historians believe Mary lived with John the rest of her life, dying at age 97 in Ephesus.

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