Mary the Mother of Our LORD

I don’t believe Mary is given the attention she deserves in my tradition.  She is a model of discipleship and an excellent model for women and men alike.  Why do we avoid her when Luke (Luke 1:26-38) gives her such a prominent space in the Advent Narrative?  Let’s not make that mistake this Christmas.

Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel and was the first in the Advent story to hear of the coming birth of the Savior Jesus Christ.  The angel’s greeting has been the source of much bickering in theological circles, but let’s listen to it:  Greetings, you who are highly favored!  The Lord is with you.  

Gabriel goes further and even gives Mary another sign:  Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.  For nothing is impossible with God.  How faithful God is in preparing us for His work!  Then comes the words from Mary that are an example to us all:  I am the Lord’s servant, May it be to me as you have said.

Her yes to the call of God on her life would cost her dearly.  First was the major uproar with Joseph.  Then, there was the birth of Christ and the escape to spare him from Herod’s sword.  I can’t imagine what it was like to be the mother of Jesus!  Of Course, I can’t imagine being the mother of anyone!  But imagine raising Jesus.  All that comes with raising a child, but in this case, a sinless child.  Somewhere along the line, it is assumed that Joseph, her husband, died.  The yes that night to the angel brought her great joy and great sorrow.  Later, Mary was told at the presentation of the baby Jesus at the temple that a sword would pierce her heart.  We know what that meant—watching her son die a cruel death on the cross.  I remember watching Mel Gibson’s movie (Passion of Christ) and the scene where Mary is in agony watching Jesus die; the sword pierces her heart.  Yet, she is found with the disciples after His death, during the resurrection narratives, and at Pentecost.

She is a great example of humility and the willingness to accept God’s call regardless of the consequences. This is a lesson for us all.

You can read about Mary’s visit to Elizabeth in verses 39 to 56 of Luke 1. It continues as a story of God’s grace: the baby (John the Baptist) within Elizabeth’s womb leaping at the sound of Mary’s greeting, the spontaneous blessing from Elizabeth, and the Holy Spirit-directed Song of Mary in praise to God

Mary’s Song

⁴⁶ And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord
⁴⁷     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
⁴⁹     for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
    holy is his name.
⁵⁰ His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.
⁵¹ He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
⁵² He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.
⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things
    but has sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful
⁵⁵ to Abraham and his descendants forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”

Have we understated Mary’s place in salvation history because others may overstate it? She is not just another woman or servant. Her place in the salvation story is fixed as the one who gave birth to our Lord.

Have we missed a great example of discipleship?   I think so; let’s rejoice in a willing vessel the Holy Spirit used to bring Emmanuel, Jesus, God with us to this world. 

 Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Most Blessed New Year!

Dr. James D. Allen