Have you ever wondered…why was Mary the one chosen to carry the Messiah? Out of thousands of virgins over the course of hundreds of years God handpicked Mary to carry His Son, calling her “highly favored” (Luke 1:28). Why her?
I believe we find our answer in “Mary’s Song” (Luke 1:46-55) where she expresses her heart in the midst of pregnancy and the unknown of her future. She sings, “My soul glorifies the LORD and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant…He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.” (Luke 1:46-48, 52)
Even as she received the privilege of carrying God's Son (which did not make her life easier but rather far more difficult and complicated), Mary was humble. Her dependence on God prepared her to receive her assignment from Him. She called herself “the Lord’s servant” and submitted herself to God's plan: “May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38). Mary thought of herself as lowly and God as holy, and this positioned Mary perfectly to receive what God wanted to give her.
Over the next four weeks, we’ll dive into Mary’s story - learning from her dependence on God and how she received from Him as she entered into motherhood.
What about you - are you ready to receive this Christmas?
I often find it hard to receive as a mom. I find it easy to take care of everyone's needs, a subtle sense of self-sufficiency underlying my productivity. I find it easy to ramble my list of requests to God, certain I know what’s best for myself and my children. I find it easy to serve and host and give - but to pause and be still, giving my attention to Jesus when there is so much to do? That feels much more difficult, sometimes even impossible.
My pride, my desire for independence, my insatiable craving for “me time” - they all leave me resisting time with Jesus and refusing to receive what God wants to give me, what I really need: His joy, His peace, more of Him.
This Advent season, I’m asking God to humble me so that I might be prepared to receive Him and all that He wants to give me. I believe that in our bending low and depending and surrendering this Christmas, we will be positioned to receive from God - and I trust that He will give us more than we could ever ask for or imagine.
Ask yourself: What is your heart posture as we enter the Advent season? Are you walking in self-sufficiency or trusting that Jesus is sufficient for you?
What are you depending on Jesus for in your current season of motherhood?
Action step: Take five minutes to sit and be with Jesus today. Ask Him to humble and prepare your heart to receive Him this Christmas.
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