How would you describe 2020? Unplanned, unwanted, unexpected?
Did you have a wedding interrupted this year? The Bible tells us of a young woman who can relate. Just when this Mary was about to begin a new exciting chapter, engaged and planning her wedding, everything changed. An unplanned pregnancy and all around her look on her with suspicion. There will be no joyous family celebration on her wedding day, instead she is quietly married to her betrothed with no friends in attendance.
Did your birth plan get disrupted by Covid? Perhaps you felt lonely and isolated by all the restrictions. Mary’s plan to have the loving support of her mother, the local midwife or maybe a sister did not happen. Instead her crazy out of control life got even crazier as her time to deliver grew nearer. Caesar’s decree sends her on an unwanted journey with her new husband to be enrolled in the census. They don’t know a soul in Bethlehem or surely someone would have taken them in during her greatest time of need. Instead of her mother calmly telling her what to do during her labor, she hears the stamping of her donkey, a few nervous sheep, and a cow shuffling in the straw. The world’s most unlikely birthing suite and the most unprepared midwife, her new husband blushes as he helps God’s Son enter the world.
Did you move unexpectedly this year, forced to flee for your life from NYC or another country? Instead of returning to their hometown of Nazareth, this new little family are sent on another unexpected journey to Egypt. (Matthew 2) They are literally fleeing for Jesus' life as a crazy king murders many innocent children.
Yet the miracle of all that was unfolding in Mary's life must have burned brightly in her heart, pushing away the dark scornful glances, the sorrow of separation, the stench of the stable. She knew what grew within her - Christ her Lord was one with her and would soon enter the world.
Because of Mary’s willingness to let go of her well ordered plans and surrender to God’s plan, she was able to partner with Him to give us all access to that same hope today. Hope for a better future and to never walk through the trials of this life alone, even a pandemic. Just as she anticipated Jesus’ arrival at the end of 9 months, we can anticipate His second coming; Heaven and Earth restored as God intended all along. A world with no more sorrow and no more tears (Rev. 21:4). So even in the midst of chaos like 2020, we can rejoice like Mary did as she celebrated with Elizabeth over the great news of Immanuel - God within her soon to become God with US!
Mary’s Song
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.” Luke 1:46-55 NIV
