Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:35
Having grown up Protestant, Mary isn’t a very prominent figure in my faith tradition, but every time I read the Christmas story I am stunned by her courage and composure. I am also struck by Joseph’s integrity and faith. Reading Luke 1:35 in particular, I wonder how the weight of what the angel said must have impacted Mary. In particular, the phrase: “So the baby to be born will be holy.” I sometimes struggle to comprehend the fact that Jesus was, and still is, both holy and human. It feels too far outside the scope of my understanding!
Then I remember that Mary, a mere human being and so young, has just been told that her child would be “holy… the Son of God.” Can you even imagine? Parenting is challenging enough human to human, but human to holy? God knew this though, and so in Luke 1:28 He offers tremendous comfort to Mary, comfort that applies to you and me too.
“And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you.”
(Luke 1:28)
The truth is, as a Christian, I am a favored one! That’s the amazing thing about God, we can all be His favorite and not have any of that favoritism diminished by the number of people He loves. Because of what Jesus did on the cross I have a righteous standing before a Holy God, and that makes me forever favored! And as I walk on this earth full of trouble and worry, sin and pain, I do not walk alone. The Lord is with me! Just like He was with Mary all those centuries ago, enabling her to be the mother of God, the Lord is with me today enabling me to meet whatever challenge comes my way.
