Christmas is associated with a wide range of emotions that include, wonder, surprises joy, and reminiscence. Beneath the festive tunes and sparkling lights, however, is a tale so heartwarming that it may touch even the hardest of hearts. It is a tale of sacrifice, love, and the wonder of life itself. My attention this year has been drawn not only to the nativity scene but to Mary, the young mother who gave birth to the world’s Savior. How did she feel during those hallowed, silent moments? What was she thinking? How were her emotions? I encourage you to put yourself in her position this season and have a heartbreaking, yet loving, Christmas experience.
The Fearless “Yes”
Imagine being a little girl who is only starting to grasp life when an angel shows up in front of you with a message so profound that it turns the central basis of your existence. According to Luke 1:31, “you will conceive and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus.” Mary’s response in Luke 1:38, “Let it be to me according to your word,” is just amazing. She did not flee from her calling or demand proof. Her bravery in accepting it filled my heart with admiration and adoration. I wonder, If it were me, would I have had the strength? Would you?
A world-changing miracle was made possible by Mary’s silent acceptance. However, we must not undervalue the significance of her choice. She was saying yes to uncertainty, yes to judgment from her community, yes to a path filled with unimaginable joy and piercing sorrow.
Holding God in Her Arms
The stable must have smelled of hay and animals. Indeed, it was far from the place where a king should be born. Nevertheless, the universe’s creator became a small, frail infant in that lowly environment. Can you imagine Mary holding Jesus for the first time, tired from labor?
The hands that will one day raise the dead and heal the sick were in her hands, rough from everyday tasks. The forehead of God Himself was kissed by her lips. What must it have been like to stare into the eyes of her child and know He was also her Savior? Did she feel unworthy? Overwhelmed? Or did her mother’s instincts take over, simply loving Him with all the tenderness her heart could hold? This is love so pure, it brings tears to my eyes just by imagining it.
A Heart Filled with Wonder
The shepherds arrived first, breathless and wide-eyed, their faces alight with stories of angels proclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest” (Luke 2:14) and then the Wise Men arrived with regal gifts. Mary saw strangers kneel before her son, their respect reaffirming her presumption that this was no typical infant.
However, there were times of silent contemplation amidst the guests and the festivities. According to Luke 2:19, “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” I see her sitting quietly in a lantern’s wavering light, her mind racing with questions and amazement. How could it be that the star-creating God now relied on her for sustenance and defense?
Four lessons on a Mother’s love from Mary’s Perspective
Mary’s journey serves as a model for our own lives and is not merely a tale to be enjoyed from a distance. From Mary we can learn the following.
1.Faith Beyond Understanding: Despite her inability to understand God’s plan, Mary had faith in it. How often do we let fear keep us from taking risks? Her faith pushes us to trust in God and let go.
Although Mary was chosen to be the mother of God. Her life was modest, and she was not engaged in the pursuit for recognition. Mary’s simplicity teaches us that authentic greatness emanates from serving others with love and not from power or being a superstar.
2.The Power of Reflection: We need to ask ourselves the number of times we retreat from our demanding lives, reflect and count the blessings from God.
3.Unwavering Love: From the manger to the cross, Mary’s love for Jesus never wavered and her strong devotion mirrors God’s unconditional love for us—a love that holds us through every trial and triumph.
4.A Love That Transforms : Mary’s perspective transforms the Incarnation into a profoundly human tale as well as a faithful theme. It is about a child’s vulnerability, a mother’s love, and a God who decided to come into our chaotic, flawed world in order to redeem us.
Let’s consider Mary’s bravery, her faith, and her unending love this Christmas. Let her story warm our hearts and bring us nearer to the holy mystery of a God who took on human form. As we assemble around our tables and unwrap our presents, let us keep in mind that the best present of all was wrapped in swaddling clothes rather than paper and held in a mother’s arms rather than a crib. Mary’s embrace.