Mary

With one last push, the baby took His first breath. An exhausted Mary’s outstretched arms drew Him near to her chest as the trembling cries of a newborn filled the air. His heart beat rhythmically next to hers—a human heart. The Lord had come. Every baby is a gift, but this one was the best gift of all.

Just nine months prior, Mary’s life changed when the angel, Gabriel, arrived in the tiny town of Nazareth. He said she was the prophesied virgin who would give birth to the Messiah. “God is with you,” he greeted her—a foreshadowing that the task ahead would not be hers alone to bear. Though she would endure judgment from her community, Mary bowed her heart in servitude for the Lord. 

As the baby grew inside her, she felt Him kick and move. His little hiccups tickled her tummy. Her body ached as He stretched against her petite frame. Mary’s body provided the perfect incubator for Jesus to begin His life on earth. Her arms, both gentle and strong, lovingly cradled the Lamb of God. Motherhood is holy work.

Her cousin Elizabeth, pregnant with John, rejoiced with her for she knew that Mary was the mother of the Lord. After His birth, shepherds arrived and told the incredible story about the visit from the angel and heavenly host. The magi traveled far and wide to look upon His face and worship Him. All who saw Him marveled at Him as the Holy Spirit led them to the truth about this baby. Mary “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).

God humbly placed Himself into the arms of a mother. The Almighty God stripped Himself of power and was dependent on her from infancy through childhood. Mary would always love and know Him best: the color of His eyes, the sound of His laugh, the touch of His embrace. She rocked Him to sleep, kissed Him goodnight, played with Him, taught Him, held His hand, and bathed Him. She was the only person to witness both His first breath and His last. 

Though she was young at the time of Jesus’ birth, she was mature in her faith. Mary was devoted to both Father and Son. She brought honor and glory to Him through her love, obedience, and worship. All generations have indeed called her blessed (Luke 2:48).