Christmas Mary
Young Mary, the soon-to-be mother of Jesus, fled to the home of her relative Elizabeth, for the first 3 months of her pregnancy. I can only imagine what turmoil must have been in her mind and heart, knowing she’d been chosen to be the virgin mother of God’s Son. She had been fully submissive when the angel Gabriel told her about her new role in life, but still, to be single, pregnant, and… a virgin! Rather mind-bending!
I often ponder the words of the angel when he told Mary, “For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37) Jesus Himself repeated those words years later when talking with His disciples. “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” He was talking about how tough it can be for rich people to be saved. Then He went on and said, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive ad hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:26, 29)
God called me to missions when I was a small child, although I did not understand that call for many, many years. But eventually I understood, and eventually He took me to Uganda. The coming new year, 2009, will mark the 10th year of my arrival in Uganda. It was an utter impossibility for me to end up a missionary in Africa, and there were times when I just thought, “Well, this is what I would’ve been in a different life.” But as both an angel and Jesus said, “With God all things are possible.”
When Elizabeth welcomed Mary into her home, the miraculous baby in her own aged womb had leaped for joy. Filled with the Holy Spirit at that moment, Elizabeth cried out, “Blessed is she who has believed what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” (Luke 1: 45) As it is said of Mary on two other occasions, she treasured such things and pondered them in her heart (Luke 2: 19, 51), I have often treasured and pondered miraculous things in my heart. When we believe God for something for our lives that is utterly impossible to achieve unless He does it, then when He brings it to pass, it brings much joy (John 16:24), the kind of joy we cannot know from our own accomplishments. The kind of joy that caused Mary to burst out in a divine song at Elizabeth’s house.
Stay tuned for future newsletters updating SEVO and New Life Centre ministries. Wishing you the merriest of Christmases and the happiest of New Years.
Margaret Nelson