As we start the journey toward Christmas and begin the Advent season, we see many symbols and images related to the birth of Jesus. Most are very familiar to us. Sometimes they are so familiar we forget some of the details that do not appear as they were in the real living scene in the story.
For example, most images of the manger scene give us a glimpse of Mary as a young woman who might be in her early twenties. Living manger scenes in many churches this season usually have a young adult woman in the role, but if we look at what we know of the culture and times we see those images do not capture the truth.
We need to remember that Mary was engaged to Joseph and in her time and culture; she would likely have become engaged at about 12 or 13 years of age.
Our times and culture are so much different, but as I look at my 13 year old granddaughter I have begun to reflect a bit differently on the opening scene where Gabriel comes to Mary.
Imagine Mary going about her day wondering what it was going to be like to marry Joseph soon. They had known each other for some time and he seemed nice enough, but she still enjoyed helping her mother around the house rather than being the one responsible to handle and manage all the household chores. She really had not mastered all of the ways her mother made every dish special with this or that spice or seasoning. She still loved playing with the other girls in the village any chance she had, but she knew those days would soon be behind her.
Mary had not begun to wrap her mind around what it would be like to live with Joseph and see to all his needs. He seemed kind and gentle enough, but there was so much she didn’t know. Somehow she had to trust that God would be with her as He had her mother when she married her father.
On the day the angel Gabriel appeared to her, her world crashed into a different dimension. She had heard others speak of angels and heavenly messengers, but she had never seen or heard one herself. Yet this being of light in front of her, speaking so clearly and with such authority, was unmistakably just such a messenger. She could hardly grasp the message he brought. How could she give birth to a child?
She had never been with Joseph or any other man. She was a virgin and not even sure she was ready for that relationship with Joseph. What would Joseph think? Would he believe her when she told him what the angel said? Would her parents believe her?
Yet here she was being told God favored her! She was to carry and give birth to a son. The angel even told her his name. Jesus. Even more astounding was to hear that He would be called the Son of God and was the long-awaited Messiah.
Her lips mouthed the question, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”
The angel told her it would be by the Holy Spirit, but she could not imagine what that meant. And now to hear Elizabeth was pregnant as well when everyone knew she was old and barren? What was happening?
Her mind could not take it all in, but her heart responded even if her mind had not caught up.
She agreed in one significant split second in time to be available to God for what He wanted to do. She did not hesitate. She did not doubt. She obeyed.
She was possibly only 13 and yet without hesitation she yielded to God’s call upon her life.
Consider that.
God had chosen Mary, called her, knew her heart. He also knows me. He knows you.
It causes me to pause.
Have I made myself available to Him and to whatever He has asked me to be or do?
Have I yielded without fully understanding what it would cost or mean?
Have I resisted out of fear, doubt, uncertainty, or unbelief?
As I journey toward Bethlehem and the familiar story, I wonder if I or even you should read Luke’s telling of the story in Luke 1:38 more closely and consider Mary’s response as we ponder our own.
“And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word….”
Wow, never considered Mary in this way! Thank you so much for these thoughts!
Thanks, Stephanie! Just felt led to reflect on the possible realities and bring the story into focus. I am going to continue the telling of the story in more real life modern terms up until Christmas. Tomorrow the story will continue with a post titled, The Gift of an Older Woman, looking at Mary going to see Elizabeth. Blessings on you and Merry Christmas!
Pam
Pam, as I read your words, I couldn’t help but think of myself at 13. I’m pretty sure I would have been completely freaked out if an angel had appeared to me with such a message. Then, and perhaps even now. You’ve brought up many good questions that I need to ponder as I think about what God is calling me to do in my own life. So glad I stopped by from #livefreeThursday.
Hi Lois! That is what struck me as well….how I was at 13. Thanks so much for stopping by. This is actually the first of a series of retelling of the Christmas story with stops at each significant spot to imagine and bring the scene into my own life and the present. The reflections as I have been reading have given me fresh perspective and new possibility of meaning that I sometimes need to not simply read it. This coming Friday will be the next one, The Gift of an Older Woman and deals with Mary’s visit with Elizabeth. Each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday through Christmas I will be seeking to share the reflections from the Lord’s nudging if you want to see any others. Blessings on you this Christmas season!
Pam
Your blog was before mine on Faith Barista. I am so glad I came to visit. I am moved by the reminder of Mary making herself available. She chose to be available to this hard thing, and aren’t we grateful. I think how many times I have dragged my feet before saying “yes” to something the Father asked of me. Thanks for reminding us the importance of being available to whatever God calls us to even if it doesn’t make sense to us. Merry Christmas!
Julie
Hi Julie! I am delighted to hear from you and to get to know you! Thanks for your kind affirmation on this post! As I have been reading this oft-told Christmas story again, I feel like the Lord has slowed me down at each spot and made it a bit more personal. I was convicted on this one as well. This is actually the first of a series of a retelling with my own reflections on the thoughts and realities. This Friday is “The Gift of an Older Woman” and Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. This coming Monday looks at Joseph, Son of a Carpenter. If you are interested, just wanted to mention that to you. Merry Christmas to you as well!
Pam
Good to be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas and the heart of Mary willing to submit to the will of God no matter the cost.
Thanks, Lynnette! I appreciate you and your comments.
Thought-Provoking……
Thank you for helping me see “The Christmas Story” in a new light.
I have a greater appreciation for Mary and the gravity of her circumstances.
Please keep writing!
Thanks, Pat! Up until Christmas, I will be taking a small piece of the story and trying to help each of us see what the scene and relational connections might have been like. I think we can sometimes read a well-loved passage so often that we miss the incredible realities behind and in the midst of the stories. Thanks for your encouragement! Blessings on you!
Hi Pam,
Visiting from Holley’s link-up today and I was hooked by your title of a new lens since I just picked up my new glasses today! 🙂 I love to dig deep and try to put myself in the shoes of the character I’m reading about in the Bible, just as you suggest, since it does bring a new perspective to the story. Appreciate reading your words here today!
Thanks for stopping by Valerie! You describe well how I often approach reading a passage in the Bible and putting myself in the place of the character. I am going to continue with this up until Christmas with a different piece of the scripture each day as the Lord allows my heart to consider the well-love story more deeply. Blessings to you! Pam
Such a thought provoking post. She is such an example to us to just obey. No hesitation. Definitely need to work on that!
Thanks, Ana! Me too!
Thank you for this post! Such great reminders, and thoughts to ponder, at this time of the year. I’m stopping by from the women with intention link-up.
Thanks for stopping by Stacey! Have a blessed day!