Luke 1:26-38
When I was a young girl, I dreamed about being Mary. I imagined what it must have been like to have been chosen by God to bear His only son, Jesus. How special I would have felt! I wondered what she must have been thinking when the Angel Gabriel appeared to her and dropped this news on her. How would I have reacted if God sent an angel to tell me I would have a baby created by the Holy Spirit? Amazed, joyful, maybe even afraid?
After experiencing infertility and then two wonderful pregnancies in my 30s, I can relate to the joy that Mary may have felt when she was told she was “with child.” I was no less joyful and amazed by the miracle of life growing inside me than Mary must have been with Jesus forming inside her. But her pregnancy carried so much meaning for so many, whereas mine was a private joy, shared among family and friends. Her son was the Son of God, long awaited by millions! I can’t imagine how Mary must have prayed that she would be able to carry Him to term, and then give birth to Him and raise Him as her son. Can you imagine raising the Son of God? I would be so afraid of making a mistake, of dropping him, of yelling at him, of correcting him.
I wonder how much Mary had to do with the person he became later in life. The age-old question of nature versus nurture intrigues me; are we who we are because of where we came from or because of who raised us and the circumstances we grew up with? Every year, we think about Mary and her blessed son, Jesus. And every year I wonder how much of Mary is in Jesus?
Pam Selthun
Prayer: Click below to hear “Breath of Heaven” by Amy Grant
[youtube=http://youtu.be/6RVTZDgcpqM]
Very though-provoking questions and a beautiful musical choice, as well. Thank you! Kim
Thanks, Kim! Look for our next music video on Saturday, December 8, with Vicky Rankin’s blog post.
Thanks Pam and that is one of my favorite songs!
Thank Marnie; she played the song for us at our Sojourners Bible study group and it seemed perfect for me & this post.
Beautiful message; beautiful song.
Katie Lincoln will be singing Mary’s Song, Breath of Heaven, on Sunday, December 9, at all 3 of our worship services — 8, 9:30 and 11 am.
I can hardly wait to hear Katie Lincoln sing this song on Sunday, December 9th at the 9:30 service. She also has a wonderful voice.
I’m a little late…….. but… better late than never……..who said that anyhow? Beautiful words, beautiful music and lyrics. This is the the first time I’ve heard this song….. Love it…..
Caren
Yes…the perspective of difficulty conceiving (a common Biblical theme) and also in my case an adoption, which is sharing the parenting with another father and mother, as is part of Jesus’s conception and life story as well, made your blog even more powerful and personal to me. And yes, each pregnancy and child is so filled with God’s hand, and thank God, we as parents can rely on God, the ultimate source and creator of all our children, to guide us as we care for and teach our children, and to forgive us and heal our children when we make mistakes along the way. Really appreciated your blog, and you!
Adele