The Nativity Sceneنموونە

It’s hard to imagine the nativity scene without one of its most important people, Mary the mother of Jesus. It was through this amazing teenage girl that God’s Son would enter the broken world He would one day rescue with His death on the cross. 

But God’s plan was definitely not Mary’s plan. In fact, she probably pictured her life looking a lot different the day Gabriel told her the news that she was going to have a baby. Her plan was to marry her fiancé Joseph and start a family with him. Besides, how could she have a baby since she was still a virgin?

It didn’t seem possible for her to have a baby, but Gabriel explained to her that God could make the impossible possible, that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit, and the baby she carried would be God’s Son! 

Mary considered her own plans against the plans that God had for her life. She told the angel, “I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled.” How incredible is that? 

Mary was willing to put aside her plans and her desires to follow God’s call for her life. Even though it might lead to shame at being an unwed mother and even though Joseph might not believe her, she trusted that God’s plans were better than the plans she had for herself. 

In our own lives, we must remember this as well. We have plans and ideas for our lives, but we must never forget that God is capable of more than we can ever imagine. 

Reflection Questions:

How do you think Mary felt when the angel appeared to her?

What plans might God have for you that don’t align with your plans?

Pray that God will give you the faith of Mary to trust that God is capable of more than you can even imagine.