We needed to induce labor with Rebecca because of medical complications, so I knew that she would probably be born on the 17th. I remember feeling so surreal on the 16th. I was going to be a Momma!! Yes, I’d been pregnant for 9 months, but it really hit me that day. Tomorrow I would be holding this little baby and meet him or her. Who would she/he be? Would I know how to take care of him? Would I really love her like I needed to? Would I have the answers to his questions? Would I be able to direct her to Jesus so that she, too, could experience a relationship with the One true God?
As I lie there in the quiet of the morning, I wondered if Mary had those same thoughts? Did she feel the entire pregnancy was surreal? She was young and more than likely had endured scorn, gossip, ridicule, loss of friends, because she had been chosen by God to bear His Son. Did she experience all of that along with the same questions I did? Was she ready? Did she know how to care for Him? Could she love Him like she needed to? Who would He be? Would she have all the answers to His questions? Would she be able to direct Him to……….God??
No. She would not be able to do all those things. He was God, come to us in flesh to take on the sins of the world. (John 1:29) She knew who He would be because the angel Gabriel told her. No, she wouldn’t be able to take care of Him because He came to take care of her. (Ezek 34:12, John 10:11) Certainly she would love Him. God knew the woman He chose to bear His Son, but the kind of love she would one day feel for Him would be the love you can only give your Savior after you meet Him and humble yourself before His mercy. Would she have all the answers? Would she be able to direct Him to…..God? Who would He be??
He was, is and shall ever be God!! (John 1:1, Rev 1:8) She wouldn’t need to answer His questions or direct him to God or to know who He would. Gabriel told her. “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His Kingdom will have no end.” (Luke 1:30-33) Her little baby would come to fulfill the prophecy spoken in Isaiah 1:9 “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
The sun that was created by Him whose birth we are preparing to celebrate has finally peaked over the hill. (Gen 1, John 1:1-2) As I sit here, I am humbled and in awe once again as I think about what God did to leave His throne and submit Himself by becoming a small baby, born in such meager surroundings, to bring Salvation to a world that was lost. I also don’t know whether Mary pondered any of these questions, but I do know that one day I will stand with her as a fellow Believer among a multitude of Believers and will join in the chorus saying, “Hallelujah!! For The Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him.” (Rev 19:6-7)
