Why Mary Makes Christmas Extraordinary
Mary makes Christmas extraordinary. Why? Obviously because she gave birth to Jesus Christ. But more importantly, what makes that birth significant. Here are three things Mary’s story reveals that make it not just extraordinary, but a divine event.
Mary Makes Christmas Extraordinary By Fulfilling Prophecy
Around 700 years before Christ, Isaiah prophesized about a coming Messiah. Not just one prophesy, but a number of them. About his birth, ministry and death. Many were very specific. Including the one about the Messiah’s birth.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. –Isaiah 7:14
The story of the Messiah’s birth is recorded in the book of Luke. In the first chapter, an angel appears to Mary while she was betrothed to Joseph. In Jewish law, this means she and Joseph were legally married, but had not yet come together as husband and wife.
Luke identifies Mary as a virgin and Mary confirms it after the angel delivers his message to her. And what a message!
He tells her she will give birth to a son and should name him Jesus. He will be called Son of the Most High. And he will rule an eternal kingdom.
Wow! That’s a lot to take in all at once for a young girl probably 12 to 14 years old. And so she asks an obvious question. One that confirms the prophecy of Isaiah.
“How can this be since I am a virgin?”
Mary Makes Christmas Extraordinary By Bearing A Holy Son
Scripture tells us that Jesus was born for a specific mission. To sacrifice his life for our sins. But in order to qualify as a sacrifice, he had to be perfect. Which means his birth could not be ordinary. It had to be extraordinary.
Why?
Because after Adam and Eve sinned, all the following generations were conceived in sin. And therefore we all sin. I know, sounds confusing. But simply put, we are all trapped in sin. And can’t get out by ourselves.
And since only God is completely holy, only God can conceive a holy son. Which he accomplished through Jesus Christ.
Mary Makes Christmas Extraordinary Through Her Trust And Submission
But now, Mary’s reputation is on the line. To announce her pregnancy before her marriage to Joseph was legally complete would cause a scandal. And if Joseph denied being the father, it could mean divorce and even death by stoning.
She had reason to fear for her life. And the life of her baby. What if Joseph rejected her? What would she do? Where would she go? How would she support herself and her child?
Questions probably swirled through her mind like a raging storm. There was a lot to consider. To worry about. And yet, she demonstrated an extraordinary faith. And a response that demonstrated trust and submission.
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”
I’m sure it wasn’t as easy as those words appear. There had to be uncertainty. Confusion. Fear. But she pressed forward. Believing that God was faithful. That he had her back
So Mary faithfully bore and gave birth to the world’s savior. Raised him. Served with him in ministry. And stood beside him faithfully as he sacrificed his life. She was an extraordinary woman. Who introduced the most extraordinary gift to the world.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is a freelance copywriter, published author, playwright and pastor. He publishes drama at www.chiptudor.com, books on Amazon.com, and articles on his blog.
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