December 13, 2022
Are you a present or future mom? Chances are that your heart has been pierced. Maybe your soul, like Mary’s.
Sometimes we wonder why God trusts mothers so very much. He gives us a lot more responsibility and burden than we expected.
Every Christmas I wonder how it was for Mary. How did she function each day — during her pregnancy and after the birth of Jesus?
I try to imagine it.
What would those days be like, in today’s terms?
A Family Trip
Mary sighs as she prepares for a family outing. Jesus is now 40 days old, and she is clearing from her postpartum fog (“baby brain”) and actually looking forward to this big day.
It’s an important event, for a young mom to present herself and her baby at the temple, and Mary wants everything to be perfect.
She gathers her belongings for the trip as her baby sleeps nearby in his nicest swaddle blanket. Checking the diaper bag once more, she then turns toward the door, where the top half is slightly ajar.
She pulls on the rough wood and leans out, looking about. She calls out to Joseph, “Did you fill up the donkey?
He answers, “Doin it right now.” At his voice she turns to see him holding the bucket up for the donkey to get the last of the hay.
She turns, then frowns, “Did you get the sacrifice stuff?”
“Yep! Come on out. We’re ready.”
She straps tiny Jesus into his safety seat and Joseph secures their belongings into place. They start down the sandy road.
In the quiet of the journey, soothed by the rhythmic steps of the animal, Jesus sleeps peacefully.
Mary is peaceful also, though her thoughts are on another road: The path of her life, which for the past year has been an adventure for her and for Joseph.
Uncertain and expectant have been the themes, as she and her husband stepped out in faith. She is well-accustomed to both feelings, so today is no exception.
A few friends stood by them, others unfriended them. It wasn’t surprising. After all, it was not an ordinary circumstance.
In the temple, Simeon is waiting. He moves toward them, and Mary realizes he is reaching for her child.
Everyone looks up to Simeon. He is really old, and he is wise. And with a gentle smile, he always insists he is living until a certain event takes place.
Here — Look at the actual account of what happened…
Jesus Presented at the Temple
And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The Return to Nazareth
And when they had performed everything according to tthe Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
Luke 2:22-38 (ESV)
Notice What Isn’t There?
The conversation that took place on the return trip from Jerusalem back to Galilee. It’s not there.
Yeah. Seems like what Simeon said at the temple would be something to talk about, right?
This was the event Simeon was awaiting. He had been told he would not die until he had seen the Lord, the Savior of the world. Not only has God’s Word been confirmed to Mary once more, but Simeon can now die, and will.
What would the conversation have been like on the way home?
“Joseph, should we talk about that visit? Is Simeon ready to die? And a sword will pierce through my soul? “
(Or were they speechless?)
The Scripture doesn’t say.
The Heart of Mary
You know what we hear from Mary?
We don’t hear much.
But we never hear resistance or even reluctance.
What we hear from Mary is “Yes, Lord.”
Obedience.
Thoughtfulness.
Acceptance.
Praise.
Joy.
Courage.
How is it that Mary could perform her responsibility in such humble submission to God’s greater plan?
What if Mary had been my neighbor? Or my friend, or my sister?
How would she influence me?
She didn’t know everything and yet she accepted what the Lord decided for her.
So trusting.
Look back at the beginning, what Mary said the first day her world tumbled into unexpected glory…
And Mary said,
“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;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
Luke 1:46-55 (ESV)
It says she sang this.
Mary’s words came from a heart of knowledge and wisdom, of obedience and trust, of complete acceptance of God being the director of her life.
What an example for us.
You know what we need?
We need Mary friends — we need to find them, and we need to be them. Like, seriously.
Are we truly speaking from a heart of knowledge, wisdom, obedience and trust? Of acceptance? Courage?
Listen. I don’t have all the answers. I just find that the questions appear like signposts. I have to follow the arrow each time and continue the journey.
I have to grow. Otherwise my heart isn’t heading in the direction of Mary’s.
Would you like to know more about the event of this purification? And more about Mary? Check this episode of The Revive Our Hearts Podcast where you can either listen or read what Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth teaches us.
Mary Friends
We need a Mary friend. And the people around us need the wisdom and trust of a Mary friend.
Look, we can wait until January 1, and make this our “New Year’s Resolution.”
But why in the world would we do that?
Our own broken hearts are needy right now.
I’m saying it all crooked, I know.
But we need each other. That’s what I’m saying.
The most happy and sad story ever, written by the God who knows us, calls us, loves us, and saves us.
Say it often and with joy, “Merry Christmas,”
or… “Mary Christmas.”
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God jin the highest,
and on earth peace lamong those with whom he is pleased!”
Luke 2:11-14
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How will wisdom and knowledge and trust and acceptance and obedience and praise and joy and courage enter your relationships this Christmas?
Let’s don’t leave the Lord in a storybook when we need him in our hearts and in our conversations.