The Mary Miracle

Today’s Thought

Many years ago, Callie, my wife, came to me with a grand proclamation, “I think we’re going to have a baby!” I was dumbfounded and completely overjoyed at the same instant–a baby. From the very first day we were sure she was pregnant, she knew; she just knew a new life was growing inside of her, and someday we would hold, love, nurture, and raise that little one. I was a bit slow to jump on that bandwagon, but then she began to show as little Josiah began to be formed inside of her. A new life was growing within, but then he started kicking, moving around and at times making life quite challenging for Callie. Life was being formed within. It was a miracle, but that magical moment arrived when the new life came forth–a wiggly, wrinkled bundle of energy–our son had come–a true miracle.

Isn’t that the essence of Christmas–a miracle exploded into our world through a young teenage girl. Jesus! But have you ever pondered how the miracle took place? How was it that this girl who was yet a virgin came to be with child and brought forth the Son of God? I like to call it the Mary miracle, for it happened something like this...

The angel Gabriel stepped out of the heavenly realm right into young Mary’s bedroom one evening with the announcement that the long-anticipated Messiah would enter our world through the womb of this innocent young lady. Can you imagine the shock! Who me? The Messiah? You’ve got to be kidding me! After Gabriel’s initial promise, Mary seeks a bit of clarification, “How is this going to happen, I’ve not known a man?” Gabriel responded that the Holy Spirit and his great power would perform a miracle but then ends with this illumination, “For nothing shall be impossible with God!” The problem is that this is a terrible interpretation of the literal words. Gabriel actually says, “That no word from God lacks power to do the impossible!” Mary gives a truly amazing response, “Look, I am his maidservant. May his word come true in my life!” Mary shows faith–raw, unfiltered, unexplainable faith.

Then the miracle begins: the promise is planted inside of her like a holy seed, and Jesus Christ himself begins to grow up within the tiny belly of this little girl. Christ is being formed within her–literally until one day the miracle of miracles takes place–THE INCARNATION–God is born into our world in a tiny little baby. When that baby comes forth, the literal Kingdom of the heavens breaks relentlessly into our world and nothing has ever been the same. It’s the Mary miracle.

The stunning news is...the Mary miracle still goes on today! In so many differing ways, God can and will come to us with an incredible promise of Jesus Christ and his kingdom reality in and through our lives, and we find ourselves answering the words of Mary, “Who me? You’ve got to be kidding!” But the magical moment comes, and we believe, and like this young lady of Bethlehem we say, “I’m your servant. Be it done in me as you have spoken.” That powerful promise is planted within, and Jesus begins to grow up within us until that marvelous day when the promise has come full term and Christ comes forth from our lives in grace, truth, and power. It’s the Mary miracle. It’s that story of that first Christmas so many years ago, but it’s still the method the Father uses to bring His gracious gift into our world today.

Think It Over

• Think about it one more time, what was the process Christ Jesus was formed within this young virgin, Mary?
• What word or promise has the Father given you that you need to take hold of and believe today?
• How would our world change as Christ is formed within you and comes forth from you into this world as this promise is fulfilled?

Let’s Pray

Oh, Lord, I receive your word today. Forgive me for my unbelief because the promise seemed so large, and I seem so small. Today, I believe, but please help my unbelief. May Christ Jesus be formed within me as I believe your mighty kingdom promise and may the kingdom flood into our world afresh through me as it did many years ago through a young maiden of Bethlehem! Amen.