Luke 1:38 “‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered, ‘May it be to me as you have said.’ Then the angel left her.”
Every Christmas as I put up my nativity scene my thoughts turn to Mary. I have even more compassion for her now since I have lost my daughter. We who have lost a child feel such tender mercy for those who are like us. As mothers we can understand how she must have felt after delivering this sweet baby boy. She was probably excited to become a mom but also feeling the immense responsibility that comes with the title of mom. I can imagine her holding this little baby in her arms and touching his tiny hands as he wrapped his little fingers around hers. She probably had so many hopes and dreams for this little boy especially after hearing from the angel, Gabriel. He had told her that her son would be great and 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. Sounds like a wonderful future for all concerned. I am sure as Mary watched this little boy grow into a man she was not prepared for the plans the Lord had for her baby boy. The path he was taking did not look like a man on his way to a throne to reign over a kingdom. I wonder what Mary’s prayer to her Father was as she witnessed her son being arrested. How she must have struggled in her faith as he was spat on, beaten and ridiculed. Lord, you said he would be called great. This is not the crown I imagined he would wear; his head is bleeding from a crown of thorns. How will he possibly reign over a kingdom as he is hanging from a cross with nails in his hands and feet! Did she feel confused and devastated with the outcome? The Bible does not tell us how Mary felt. She was a woman, a mother and most of all human. I am sure she must have grieved deeply for the son she loved and raised. When Mary said, “May it be to me as you have said,” I am sure this is not what she had envisioned for herself or her son. Little did she know that after the grave she would witness the resurrection and the ascension of her son. She could not have even imagined how important this little baby boy of hers was to the world. How his life and death would change the outcome of everyone born before him and after him. One day she will see every knee bowed worshiping her son and shouting Hallelujah! for our Lord God almighty reigns. Now that must be one proud mom.
Lord, we too have answered, “May it be to me as you have said.” In surrendering to your will for our child’s life, we will be blessed.
– Michele
