THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY:

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY:
First Week of Advent: The Announcement II

Before we move on, let’s pause to think about Mary. As CS Lewis noted in Mere Christianity, when people talk about Mary the air can get thick very quickly. Protestants, wary of idolatry, tend to downplay her importance when they mention her at all. As such we can miss her significance altogether. Catholics, who may sense that she is not getting proper respect can feel much like you’re talking their mother down, and we know how it is when a man feels his mother’s honor is on the line…

So where should we land? With all do respect, I would argue that Mary has taken far too much prominence in Catholicism. But on the other hand, I want to stress that mentioning her once or twice a year, and that almost parenthetically, is shameful.

If we can squeeze her in between the Christmas program (at church and at school), the cantata, the shopping, trips to the air port, and the office party (whew!) we might come to terms with the reality that of all the women on the earth at the time of Christ’s birth, before or since, God handpicked ONE to bear the Son of God! Her name was Mary. And what is said about her? “Hail, favored one!” says Gabriel, and Elizabeth adds, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”

She must have done something right! But again, one reason that it is so crucial that we understand Mary is the significance of God using one of US to bring about his forgiveness. Did you catch that? I hope you did. Beyond that, we should see her example as a willing bondservant, And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:38 (NASB), WHATEVER YOUR PURPOSE, HOWEVER IT MAY COME, SO BE IT. If only we had such faith!