I/we believe in miracles from God! I know of no formula but we can observe and learn from the story of Christ’s birth. It is loaded with leadings, angels, impossibilities, unlikely heroes, and a lot more. Mary’s miracle is very different from Elizabeth’s though both are mothers in miracle births. They are on opposite ends of the life spectrum. Elizabeth has lived a long life of faithfulness to God, her husband and people, and Mary is a young woman, likely thirteen to sixteen years old, preparing for marriage, with limited life experience. Both are serving the Lord. The consequences of Elizabeth having a baby in her old age are very different from Mary’s. Elizabeth may be seen as vindicated by the birth, and Mary could be brought under judgment for her birthing circumstances.
An unqualified “YES!” to God will change the course of anyone’s life. In Luke 1:26 – 38, and Matt 1:18-25 we come to know Mary had questions about God’s freshly revealed plan for her. The angelic messenger declared she was favored by God, chosen to give birth to the Messiah, and it would happen by the power of God coming upon her. She can not know how this works and what it will mean to her already planned marriage to Joseph. The fulfillment of prophecies from Isaiah and Micah are likely not immediately relevant to her as she considers her response. Mary has a choice! We would understand if she resisted this call, or opted to take care of her own plans first. She doesn’t!
Luke 1:38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” In this response we observe her fear brought under control, and the angels physically impossible message fully received. I love this because it speaks inspiration and encouragement to my sixty three year old male heart. In this part of the Christmas Story, God reminds all of us that Jesus is received by placing Him above all other life priorities. It is easy to declare “Jesus Is Lord”, yet putting Him above our own desires and reputation seems far less common.
Sometimes the choice is simple and clear. Many years ago a woman confided in me that her husband that had been unfaithful to her on multiple occasions. She had come to Christ and he didn’t like it, delivering to her an emphatic ultimatum to choose between him or Jesus. He was determined and she said that made it very easy to choose Jesus. Often placing Christ first is a daily choice like husbands being reminded to “love your wives like Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her …” Is Jesus in the highest place of your life? Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust Him fully and acknowledge Him in all of our ways. Take a few minutes soon and give Him a fresh invitation into each facet of your life. Miracles are sure to follow.