The story of the birth of Jesus is a common one told around this time of year. Let’s take a fresh look at well-known verses and explore the perspective of the people involved, specifically Mary. Those who have attended church or know enough of the Bible may have heard that Mary is the mother of Jesus. She was a virgin when Jesus was conceived, around the age of 15, living in the village of Nazareth.

In the Old Testament, there are prophesies of Jesus’ future birth. One example is in Isaiah 9 verse 6, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.” Why is the child born, but the son is given? Mary gave birth to a child, Jesus. The same Jesus that is the Son of God. John 3:16 says that God so loved the world, He gave us His only Son. It was through Mary carrying the baby and delivering the human child that God gave us His Son, His perfect sacrifice for our sins. Isaiah 53:10 says, “But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin. . . the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.” It is confusing that God’s plan to crush His own Son is good. But, it is for our good that God sent His Son to be born of a virgin to then lay down His life as a sacrifice for our sin.

In the New Testament, Luke 1:26 says, “God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. ²⁸ Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” ²⁹ Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. ³⁰ “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! “³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³⁴ Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” ³⁵ The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.”

Mary was given a promise by the angel, Gabriel, that came to visit her. The promise came true, Mary found herself pregnant as a teenager and as a virgin. From the time the angel addressed her as a favored woman, she was confused. How can she be highly favored by God, she was a humble servant to the Lord? Mary was engaged to a man that she loved, Joseph, but they had not engaged in sexual relations. How can she be pregnant?

When Joseph learned about the pregnancy, he was confused and hurt and going to divorce her. At that time when someone was engaged, it was as if they were married. Mary was now pregnant, confused, and alone with a story that sounded like a fantasy, a lie. Nobody would believe her and the Law demanded that Mary must be stoned for her promiscuity. How does someone who is called ‘favored’ by God wind up confused, considered a sinner by family and friends and now has her life in danger? In times of confusion, we must lean not on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). We must cling to the fact that God’s ways and thoughts are higher than we can even think or consider (Isaiah 55:9). Mary had the faith and trust in God to say, “I am the Lord’s servant.” May we also be filled with faith bold enough to say to God, “Thy will be done.”

Let’s pray. Father in heaven, we thank You for giving us Your Son. Thank You for Jesus Who died on the cross for all of our sins and all we have to do is believe that truth. Father, please help us to stay focused on Jesus today and everyday. In the blessed name of Jesus we pray, amen.