What Child Is This?

Sometimes the story of Mary can be lost in the Christmas narrative. While it is true that the focus of Christmas should be on Christ, we shouldn’t forget Mary’s role in God’s plan.

How difficult it must has been for Mary to say the words, “I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Luke 1:38

Prior to Mary’s statement, an angel had appeared to Mary and announced, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." … “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." Luke 2:26-33

How frightening to have an angel appear and make the statement that your life will be changed forever. Certainly the neighbors would frown on the girl next door becoming pregnant regardless of the circumstances.

Most people are a familiar with the heralding angels singing praises to God for his first step in saving mankind from a fallen world. We read about it in Luke 2:15-19.

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Surely the shepherds shared the story of the angels’ appearance with Mary and Joseph and in fact Luke states Mary remembered and reflected on this event.

Each year the family traveled to the temple for the Feast of the Passover. One time Jesus stayed behind to learn & share knowledge about his heavenly Father. His family had left without him and not realized it. They had to go back to Jerusalem to retrieve him. We learn in Luke 2:51-52:

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

When Mary looked upon this little baby, she knew he was to be used of God and that he would be given the throne of David. But for the short time he was a small child, Mary must have savored those moments with him as any new mother savors the time she has with her child.

Mary continued to collect and meditate on the words spoken to her by God through his angels and later on the various stages of Christ’s life. She would later on come to understand how God had provided a savior through her obedience to him.

Like Mary, I would encourage you to ponder the special circumstances and events of Christ’s life and the words of God and make that step towards making Christ a part of your life. Merry Christmas.