“Be it unto me as you have said.” And, with those words Christmas came to the world.
Let’s not underestimate what it cost Mary to say that!
Soon there would be no way for Mary to hide the fact that she was with child. What would people think? What would they say? What sort of whispering would go on behind her back? What sort of scornful looks would she have to endure? How would Joseph respond to her when he finds out that she is with child, especially since in that time when she would face death by stoning.
Mary knewthat saying ‘Yes’ to God meant misunderstanding and public shame. Yet, she submitted herself to the Lord. She chose to trust God to work out the details surrounding the birth of His Son, whereas a lesser girl would have run away from town.
Regardless of the consequences, she said, “May it be to me as you have said.”Without exaggeration, we …show more content…
She did not laugh, as Sarah had laughed when she was told she was going to bear a son. She didn’t even ask for some kind of confirmation, as Zechariah had.She didn’t say ‘find someone else’, like Moses did.
There she is, questioning but not afraid, wondering but not terrified, unsure but not uncertain.
Her curiosity at the content of the message resulting in the inevitable question, “How can this be?” Her consecration when she said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord!” Her commitment in saying, “Be it unto me according to thy word!”
Her courage in her submission to the will of God in spite of the repercussions that may result reveals the strength of God given to those who will quietly receive it. And, it all begins as she submits herself to God as His handmaid.
Can we be like Mary who did not wait until every doubt was answered before she risked herself in believing God’s word?
May Mary, the Handmaid of the Lord, model for us a faith that enables us to say,“Here I am,” with courage and