Goodbye Anxiety, Hello Peace; Hello Christmas Part Two

If anxiety has edged into your Advent, Mary’s path points the way to peace. Here is Part 2 of Hello Christmas.

Hello Christmas, Part 2 

Goodbye Anxiety, Hello Peace

What Mary Witnessed

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months, just enough time, it seems, to see John born. What must she have witnessed?

She would have seen her older cousin’s husband, whose words had been snatched from his mouth months before, suddenly regain his speech. Once the lusty cries of the baby boy pierced the air, Zechariah rushed out to break the news and held up the slate with the words “His name is John.” Suddenly his voice returned. He babbled with joy.

What a story he must have told.

Mary had her own story. She too had been visited by the same angel and given a message from God. It was a message the nation of Israel had been seeking, watching, and waiting for since the promise was first whispered in the garden.

The Weight Mary Carried

She was just a young girl, facing the most momentous event in the history of mankind. On a human scale, facing family, friends, and society with news of an unexpected pregnancy was anxiety-ridden enough. As for the spiritual implications to a people who had been awaiting their Messiah for these many years, it was beyond momentous.

How could a teenager carry such a secret? Such a treasure?

God chose Mary to do so, and there are things about her I believe we can appropriate to make our Christmas season, and yes, our lives, more peaceful.

Mary Believed God’s Word

In a time when it was uncommon for women to be literate, Mary knew the word of God. Luke 1:54-55 says, “He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His offspring forever.”  (ESV) More often than not, what they knew of God’s word was spoken to them, and they hid His word in their heart.

The first step to peace is to take God at His word. What He says He will do, He will do.

Mary Was Filled With the Spirit

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (Luke 1:35). While this was the method by which God chose to indwell and plant the Christ Child within Mary’s womb, the Spirit of God dwelt with her and continued to guide and comfort her throughout the remainder of her life.

This same Holy Spirit is made available to us to fill us, to guide us, to comfort and console us. It is up to us to access this power, to stay filled and empowered.

Mary Was Submissive to God’s Voice

In Luke 1:38, Mary’s response is, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” When we have this attitude and posture before the Lord, we accept that God has our best interests at heart. We submit to His will and plans for us.

Mary Was Quiet and Meditative

I love to watch how Mary was quiet and meditative after these momentous moments. We are shown two times when she pauses to be still and consider all that has happened.

Luke 2:19: “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” And again in 2:51: “And He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.”

How often do we ponder the things that God is showing us? Do we sit and meditate over the word? Do we “treasure” the things that God has given us, has blessed us with, has done for us?

Worship Overflowed

This practice leads to the next attitude of Mary: she was worshipful. Being filled with the Spirit, her obedience, and her pondering of God’s goodness led her to worship. Luke 1:46-55 is a record of her worship and is beautiful. Verses 46 and 47 say, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed.”

When we believe God’s word, submit to His voice, yield to the filling of the Spirit, and ponder His goodness, we will find ourselves worshiping Him. Not a called-together corporate worship, but a spontaneous outbreak of worship that is genuine, intimate, and authentically personal.

When we are submissive, Spirit-filled, and worshipful, we find ourselves on the path to peace. Before peace shows up in our circumstances, it often starts with trust. Mary shows us what that looks like with Joseph.

She Let God Deal With Joseph’s Heart

There was a very special quality of Mary that could easily be overlooked. She trusted God to do something that many of us may not have considered doing: she let God deal with Joseph’s heart.

We read in Luke the exchange between the angel and Mary, and also with Zechariah and Elizabeth. But in Matthew 1:18-25 we read of the angel coming to Joseph with the same message he took to Mary. “She was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit” (verse 18). This tells us it was already confirmed that she was carrying a child, showing that some time had passed since the angel had visited Mary. “Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.” This means to quietly break the engagement and not fulfill the marriage contract.

But then the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Is it possible, Mary had not gone to Joseph to plead her case and beg for favor? Did she allow God to make the case for her? How often do we as wives step in and play the role of Holy Spirit? Do we fear our husbands are not able to hear His voice? Do we believe our voices are more persuasive? Or perhaps we do not have the faith or patience to trust that God will deal with the man in His time and in His way?

A Life of Trust and Faithfulness

Mary, beyond the Christmas story, lived a life of trust and faithfulness. She turned to Jesus when she needed help, prompting Him to perform His first public miracle. She was faithful, following Him throughout His public ministry, even to the point of standing at the foot of the cross.

Both of these are pictures of our posture, turning to Him for our every need, and never ever leaving the foot of the cross.

Choose A Simple Act

What is one simple step you can take this Advent season to walk in the steps of Mary? Believe, submit, ponder, worship? Pick one this week and consciously focus on it. Until next week...