The Night Jesus Was Born: Behind the ScenesSýnishorn

A LOOK AT MARY

Sometimes when we’ve heard a familiar story so many times, it seems more like a fable than real life.

But the story of Jesus’ birth is real. Real people were involved, people just like you and me. They heard from God, obeyed Him, and became part of history.

Think about Mary. She was just a young teenager when Gabriel appeared to ask if she would become the mother of God. When she said yes, I’m sure she had no idea of the far-reaching ramifications of her willingness and obedience.

I bet she didn’t know this baby would grow up to walk on water, heal the sick, raise the dead, or turn water into wine. I bet she didn’t know that He would pay the price for sin and redeem all of mankind. I also bet she didn’t think about the trouble she would face, being an unwed teenage mother. But she committed herself to the will of God.

I’m sure it wasn’t easy telling Joseph or her family that she was pregnant. Or traveling for days and nights, very pregnant, to accompany Joseph to Bethlehem. Imagine being so young, giving birth for the first time in a strange place, far from home.

The night Jesus was born, I bet she didn’t know that when she kissed his sweet face, she was kissing the Lord of all creation. Think of it! The baby she was holding was the great I Am! All of that came about because she said “yes” – she obeyed.

What might happen in your life when you obey God, even if you do not know what the future holds?

Imagine having to flee in the middle of the night to escape to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-14). Travel wasn’t safe in those days, and she’d just had a baby! But of course, the Lord saw her through because she trusted Him – just as He’ll see you through when you trust Him.

Besides the few times we see her in scripture, Mary led an ordinary life. She cooked and cleaned, maybe tended a garden. She had friends and relatives, a social circle. She loved her family. She raised Jesus to be a good Jew and follow the law.

Behind the scenes, Mary was just like us. Her life is a testimony that regular people can turn regular life occurrences into miracles when we obey God.