Ready or not, Christmas is on the way. The day after Halloween, stores begin putting out Christmas items on their shelves. Some people even start to decorate their homes, assembling trees or placing Nativity sets on the mantle.
The craziness begins, and for those of us who believe, we sing the carols and read the scripture. However, during the busyness and noise of the season, we can easily come to the New Year and not have spent time in deep thought about what we deem “the reason for the season.”
Looking at the Nativity, it is a beautiful picture. We know the characters well. But have we really considered them as people, as human beings during a chaotic time and story? We have the benefit of hindsight, of knowing the meaning.
Mary, specifically, is a fascinating individual. Most scholars agree she was a young teen, not even driving age when she was called and then given the role of mother to the Messiah, Savior of the world, as prophesied in the Old Testament.
Who was this young woman? And out of all the virgins in the world, why did he choose her?
Where Is the Story of Mary in the Bible?
The story of Mary is found in the New Testament, in the gospels — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. She is the central figure of the Christmas narrative, found in the beginning of Luke chapters 1-2 and Matthew chapters 1-2.
The story begins with the angel Gabriel being sent by God to the town of Nazareth in Galilee. He is sent to visit a young Jewish woman named Mary. She was engaged to a man named Joseph, who belonged to the house of David.
The angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary is a pivotal moment in Christian theology and the story of salvation. The angel greets Mary with the words, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28).
Mary is initially troubled and perplexed by the angel’s presence and greeting. She doubts why she was chosen.
The angel then proceeds to deliver the remarkable message that Mary is chosen by God to bear a child, whom she is to name Jesus.
This child, she is told, will be the Son of the Most High, and he will inherit the throne of David, reigning over the house of Jacob forever. The angel explains that the child’s conception will be miraculous, as it will be through the Holy Spirit, and he will be the Son of God.
Mary’s response to this extraordinary news is one of humility, faith, and acceptance. She says, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
With this declaration, Mary willingly and faithfully accepts her divine calling to be the mother of Jesus, demonstrating her profound trust in God’s plan.
The story of Mary in the Bible continues as she visits her relative Elizabeth, who is also miraculously pregnant with John the Baptist.
Mary’s visit to Elizabeth results in the beautiful and poetic passage known as the “Magnificat,” a hymn of praise and thanksgiving for the blessings and mercy of God (Luke 1:46-55).
This is a moment of spiritual confirmation for Mary, letting her know from family she respects that the divine has called her.
The Line of Judah
Mary’s lineage of the tribe of Judah was a necessity to be chosen for the mother of Jesus. This lineage plays a crucial role in the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and underscores the divinely ordained nature of Jesus’ birth. Here are some key reasons why it is essential that Mary was from the line of Judah.
In the Old Testament, there are numerous prophecies that predict the coming of the Messiah, who is to be a descendant of King David from the tribe of Judah.
For example, in 2 Samuel 7:12-13, God promises King David that one of his descendants will establish an eternal kingdom. Mary's lineage from Judah connects Jesus to this Messianic promise, affirming his eligibility to be the Messiah.
The tribe of Judah held a royal heritage in Israel. King David, the most revered and celebrated king in Israel's history, was from the tribe of Judah. This royal lineage is important because Jesus is often referred to as the “Son of David,” signifying his role as the promised royal Messiah.
In the genealogical records provided in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Mary’s husband, Joseph, is also depicted as being from the house of David and the tribe of Judah.
While the biological lineage of Jesus is through Mary, Joseph's legal lineage affirms Jesus’ claim to the Davidic throne, establishing his legal right to be the Messiah.
Mary's lineage from Judah holds theological significance in affirming that Jesus is the anointed one, the Savior, and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. It emphasizes that Jesus, as a descendant of Judah, possesses the qualifications required by the Messianic prophecies.
But there were plenty of young virgins in Judah two thousand years ago. Her character must have made a difference, as well.
Mary’s Character
Mary’s qualities and virtues played a significant role to bear and raise the Son of God.
Mary’s unwavering faith in God and her trust in His plan were foundational to her selection. When the angel Gabriel appeared to her with the astonishing news of her impending motherhood, Mary responded with humility and faith. Her acceptance of this extraordinary role revealed her deep trust in God’s guidance.
Mary’s humility is evident throughout the Christmas narrative. Despite the extraordinary nature of the angel’s message, she did not display arrogance or pride.
Instead, she recognized herself as a humble servant of the Lord. Her humility is a quality that exemplifies the Christian virtue of servant leadership.
Mary’s immediate and unconditional obedience to God’s plan is a significant aspect of her character. She did not question or doubt the angel’s message but submitted to God’s will. Her obedience reflects her desire to be in alignment with God's purpose.
As a young woman in Judaism, it was important for her to be a virgin. First, this revealed her morals and ethical character, staying pure until marriage. Second, this meant there would be no doubt she was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and this was a work of God.
Her character is also evident in her strength in the face of adversity. Her acceptance of an unexpected and potentially scandalous pregnancy, her arduous journey to Bethlehem for the census, and her experience of witnessing her son’s crucifixion all attest to her resilience and fortitude.
Mary’s character as a loving and compassionate mother is seen throughout her interactions with Jesus. She stood by her son even during his public ministry and at the foot of the cross during his crucifixion. Her motherly love and compassion are central to the understanding of her role in Jesus’ life.
Every one of these characteristics is impressive, but altogether, they show the amazing strength of a young teen.
Her Marriage to Joseph
Just as Mary’s character was central to her being chosen, Joseph also had to be a man of righteousness and integrity to be the adopted father of the Messiah.
Joseph plays a crucial and often underappreciated role in the biblical Christmas narrative. His significance goes beyond being a mere bystander to the miraculous birth of Jesus; he is a central figure in the unfolding of God's plan for the redemption of humanity.
Joseph’s commitment to Mary is evident when he discovers that she is pregnant, and he knows he is not the father. Instead of publicly shaming her, as was within his legal rights, he decides to divorce her quietly. This demonstrates his compassionate and righteous character.
Yet an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream, revealing the divine nature of Mary’s pregnancy and instructing him to take Mary as his wife.
Joseph's obedience to this divine message is crucial, as he acts as the legal father of Jesus, ensuring that Jesus is born into the Davidic line of Joseph, thus fulfilling Old Testament prophecies.
Joseph, in response to the Roman census, takes Mary with him to Bethlehem. Even though he knows the child isn’t physically his, he takes responsibility.
Joseph is present at the birth of Jesus, providing for Mary and the newborn child during a challenging and humble circumstance. His presence at the manger underscores his role as Jesus’ earthly father, protecting and caring for the family.
Another angelic visitation warns Joseph of King Herod’s intent to harm Jesus. In response, Joseph quickly takes his family to Egypt, protecting Jesus from the massacre of infants ordered by Herod. This act of obedience again fulfills Old Testament prophecies (Hosea 11:1).
After the threat posed by Herod passes, Joseph leads the family back to Nazareth. In doing so, he ensures that Jesus grows up in the town where he would later begin his ministry, again aligning with divine purpose.
Joseph’s role as the earthly father of Jesus includes teaching and raising him in the traditions of their faith. He taught the young Jesus a trade as a carpenter. He provides a nurturing and supportive environment for Jesus' development.
The Importance of Motherhood
God could have done it any way he wanted. He could have had his Son in human form simply appear on earth as an adult man and start declaring the truth.
Everything God does has a purpose and a reason, and the Father intentionally sent his Son as a baby and gave him a physical mother. Jesus needed a mother to teach him what it meant to be human.
Motherhood is undeniably essential to a child’s development. A mother’s role in nurturing, guiding, and providing for her child during their formative years has a profound and lasting impact on the child's physical, emotional, and social development.
Beyond the requisite physical care, which is important, the emotional bond formed between a mother and child is essential for a child’s emotional development.
This bond, often referred to as attachment, establishes a sense of security and trust that serves as the foundation for healthy emotional relationships later in life.
Mothers play a significant role in a child's language development. Through interaction and conversation, mothers help children acquire language skills, expand their vocabulary, and develop cognitive abilities. For the Messiah who would go on to teach, Mary’s role was central in this regard.
Healthy motherhood helps children develop social skills and interaction. Further, mothers impart values and morals to their children, serving as role models for ethical behavior.
They teach children right from wrong, empathy, and compassion, which are integral for moral and ethical development. Mary’s character and obedience to God come to bear in this role.
Jesus was both fully human and fully divine. The Father provided a physical mother to raise, nurture, and inform the human part of Christ’s dual nature.
Therefore, God chose Mary to care for and teach Jesus, the Savior of the World. Yes, her heart would break, as all mothers do, but she also knew the joy of being an instrumental part of God’s redemptive plan for all humanity.
For her, too.
Peace.
For further reading:
Who Was Mary the Mother of Jesus?
Is it Important to Know Jesus’ Family Tree at Christmas?
How Can Mary and Joseph's Faithfulness Encourage Us This Christmas?
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