Key Text: Luke 1: 26–56
Additional Reading: Micah 5:2, Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 7: 14, John 5:17, Hebrews 11:1-6, Isaiah 9:1, Habakkuk 2:2-3, Psalm 86:7 and 15 and Romans 8:28
The month of November whizzed by, and if you are like me, you are wondering how we are already almost halfway through December! We anticipate the new year if the Lord allows us to see it, but should not allow the busyness that clouds this time of year to hinder us from appreciating the season of advent and Christmas for the reason. The advent season is here again – a time to reflect on one of the basic tenets of our faith: the birth of Jesus. Though we are unsure of the exact date of our Saviour’s birth, we can be assured that He came to earth to die for our sins as promised, and the experiences of those in the Bible who involved in this miraculous event are filled with wisdom for us who follow Him.
Long before Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel who prophesied to her that she would give birth to Jesus, there were several prophecies about God sending a Redeemer as seen in several accounts in the Old Testament. Not only was she aware of this promise, but she clearly believed it wholeheartedly, though she had no evidence of it. Hebrews 11 reminds us that faith is confidence for what we hope for, and it is essential for us to come to faith in God and please Him. It is encouraging to see people come to faith through an encounter with the Holy Spirit and grow in that faith as they continue to walk with Him. As lovely as this is, it does not negate the fact faith for salvation is not as rigorous as faith to believe God for the impossible, or steadfastly hold to promises from the Word which often seem contradictory.
Mary had many odds against her: she was young, a virgin, engaged, and from Nazareth, a village inhabited mainly by Gentiles. At the time, the people from Nazareth were not necessarily celebrated or considered worthy of any greatness (Isaiah 9:1). She could have accepted society’s expectations and prioritised the stereotypical future she had planned, but Mary’s steadfast belief in God’s promises despite these tensions is worth imitating.
Being greeted by an angel who labelled her as a favoured and selected young woman did not incite rebellion or cynicism from Mary. There is no mention of her asking God for a different plan for her, though the news and experience must have been nerve-wrecking! The mere fact that Gabriel told her to ‘Fear Not’ indicates that she was visibly fearful! We celebrate her as the brave teen mother of Jesus, but fail to recognise that despite her obedience and hope in God’s promises, she was human. She demanded some logic because of her circumstances, but when Gabriel finished explaining her role in the Messiah’s birth and informed her of her (previously barren and elderly) relative’s pregnancy, Mary submitted to God’s will wholeheartedly. She did not consult with Joseph or family, but was assured that she had received a promise from God. She accepted that her life belonged to God and submitted her will to Him.
A sudden visit from an angel who pronounced a plan from God which was contrary to her plans could have caused Mary to question God’s methods and whether He had good intentions for her. I can imagine the awkward conversation she planned to have with Joseph, the fear of being ostracised, and coping with a pregnancy that was not her responsibility. Imagine her concern for Joseph’s subsequent conversations with his friends and family as he told them over dinner that his fiancé was pregnant, and the Holy Spirit was responsible for it! Would they have fallen over with laughter, mocked him or thrown the bread at him? I am sure it was very strange and unpalatable news. Nonetheless, Mary ignored the potential conflict and clutched hope closely: she had a relationship with God and her humble response to His promise to use her in a unique way indicates God’s wish for us when He makes promises to us.
Mary, like many in her generation, anticipated the fulfilment of ancient prophecies of a coming Saviour. Though hundreds of years had passed, she believed and hoped in its fulfilment. Though it was a long wait, her hope did not fade. Though it was a sudden responsibility, Mary held to her reason to hope: she had heard God’s Word about His Son before and believed it – she trusted His character. Not only did Mary hope in the promise, but she went to visit Elizabeth shortly after, and stayed for three months to support her. The ‘Magnificat’ – Mary’s song of praise in verses 46-55, testifies of her hope in the impossible. She knew that she was an unlikely candidate for God to enact His will and thanked Him for not only choosing her, but for honouring His Word to her ancestors. The fact that she went to see Elizabeth indicates an immediate adjustment to her life; her actions indicated that this was not a random meeting with an angel to be soon forgotten. Mary lived as if every word spoken by Gabriel was true from the moment she received the personal promise. Perhaps, like Mary, we could consider making decisions which align with God’s promises as we wait for the ultimate realisation of the promises. Sometimes God’s promises require us to wait in quiet confidence, but sometimes, as seen in Mary’s attitude, they demand that as we wait, adjustments that acknowledge that God has been truthful are made. As far as Mary knew, she was carrying the Son of God and her older relative, was also carrying a blessing. It seemed that Mary’s hope encouraged her to hasten to spend time with Elizabeth, whose pregnancy served to settle any doubts that Gabriel’s words concerning her were also true. Elizabeth was someone who would also understand her joyful praise as she was in a similar season. Mary took action as if she did indeed have a pregnant relative as told by the same angel who informed her that she would give birth to the Saviour. With hope in such an extraordinary promise, she did not continue as normal amongst her usual circle and routines.
Though Mary’s qualities are admirable, I can imagine some thinking: ‘Here we go – Mary, Mary, Mary again – every Christmas!’ ‘Good for her!’ I hear you say (if your response to the possibility of God’s promises is cynicism), or ‘What does that have to do with me?’ You have perhaps hoped for answered prayers and fulfilled promises for longer than Mary’s sixteen years before she saw a dramatic fulfilment of a prophecy. You have probably, like me, at some point, waivered in hope, thinking that God has surely forgotten His promises to you. That is not uncommon; the Bible does acknowledge that in contrast to a desire fulfilled, hope deferred makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13: 12). It is difficult to remain hopeful when the odds are against you, and there is no immediate sign such as a visiting angel of Gabriel or proof of what he said about a relative to give the slightest glint of hope. At times, it seems as if there are no Angels in the Realms on High, Stars of Wonder, Jingle Bells or Ding-Dong-ing Merrily on High in reality for many, even though this is a special time of the year. Life sometimes brings harsh realities: loss, hardships, distance from loved ones, opposition, worrisome uncertainty and sickness – the list is endless and the season of Advent and Christmas, though filled reasons to rejoice, may seem insufficient to eliminate them.
Nonetheless, be comforted in knowing that we can remain hopeful for the mere reason that GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES. Though it was a long wait, the promised Messiah did come to save us. In all the generations of waiting, God was still with His people, though some may have doubted the promise at some point. God often makes promises through His Word and His interaction with us that often seem unfathomable, but if you know the promise you clutch is from Him, like Mary, do not allow the delay or unprecedented circumstances surrounding its fulfilment to cause you to doubt Him. Fellow pilgrims, we honestly wish He would hurry sometimes and do things on our timetable, but He often takes much longer than our preferred time. Some questions will not be answered on this side of eternity, but we can trust Him to do what is best for us according to His will. When our circumstances do not look promising and He seems to have forgotten us, let us reflect on the fact that Mary was not only the chosen mother of Jesus, but one who lived to see the fulfilment of a promise spoken several centuries before her existence. God may not fulfil His word as soon as we pray, but we can trust that when He does it (in a way we expect or otherwise – like Mary), it is the right time. God is never late, He never panics and He sees you favoured woman, child, man of God! Breathe. He’s got you, and His promises never fail. You could be one step, or one day away from seeing God’s hand at work in the promises you hope for; DON’T LOSE HOPE. Like Mary, as you wait for the ultimate ‘birthday’ to see the physical embodiment of the promise, focus on using your time and presence to support others, prepare for the promise, face the conflict involved in your purpose with God’s help, and above all, hold fast to your hope.
Remember, pray for even a minute or five today – He hears you, and I’m praying for you too. He keeps His promises! Have a blessed week. More next week.
Heartfelt Prayer: Dear Lord, thanks for sending Jesus as the perfect fulfilment of Your promise to redeem us. I appreciate Your sacrifice and know that Your love is unconditional. I have accepted Your promises over my life, and though it seems the vision tarries, thanks for the reminder that at the appointed time it will come. You are Sovereign, Omniscient, Omnipresent and Faithful – You will keep Your Word. Help me to remember Your attributes when I feel discouraged, and thanks for not giving me any of your promises until the appointed time. Please grant me the ability to keep hoping even when the odds are against me – they did not stop Mary and they will not stop me. No lies whispered from the enemy will deter Your plans or cause You to retract Your Word. Amen.
