For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And Peace to all on earth
For Christ is born of Mary.
The Son of God, coming to earth as a human baby to grow in Mary’s womb.
We get too used to the idea I think.
We forget the wonder of it, the impossibility of it; the fear and confusion Mary must have faced.
The angel’s earth shattering pronouncement that this virgin teenager was going to carry the Son of God was not met in the way we’d expect.
I imagine I’d have far more questions; in all probability I might have refused.
And yet Mary’s response in Luke’s gospel is:
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”
She defines herself, not as we so often do by her family, her status her relationships, but as the Lord’s servant.
Her identity as the Lord’s servant governs her response; and Jesus’ identity as the Servant King governed His earthly life.
Our identity governs our responses.
So the question: Where is your identity?
Rachael Newham 
Leave a Reply