The second WiseWoman found recorded in the History of Christmas is Mary, the Mother of Jesus! She is without doubt the most famous woman known in the Bible. There is a reason for this-The Lord had a great place of honor for her and plan for her life in the birth of our LORD and SAVIOUR!
Mary was a wisewoman for one reason plainly seen in the Bible: she was HUMBLE.
1) Mary was Humble physically and pure. The Lord said she was a virgin, and had NEVER known a man, for a natural HUMAN conception of a child, to take place. That fact is crucial for the Saviour, the Son of Man, to be sinless. Luke 1:27,34 & Matthew 19-21confirms that Mary was innocent in this way. For the sake of this devotional to be appropriate for all ages, we will leave it as stated.
2). Mary was Humble mentally. This meaning, how she viewed herself. Once again. the angel Gabriel was sent to deliver the prophecy of good tidings of great joy to Mary! Her humility of her thoughts of self, were again seen by her reaction to his words: "And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be." Luke 1:28&29. She humbly wondered if this "man" had the right person he was looking for, or how he even knew who she was to make such a statement!
3)Mary was HUMBLE in Faith! Faith is simply believing and taking God at HIS WORD! This is exactly how Mary responded to the WONDERFUL news Gabriel was about to tell her! She listened as the angel explained what God the Father had planned for her: Luke 1:30-33 says "And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David, And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." Her humility of faith prompted her question OF FAITH, NOT doubt! She asked HOW shall THIS BE, seeing I know not a man? (vs 34). Gabriel explained " And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. "For with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:35&37). Imagine the joy and wonder that must have thrilled her soul, to be chosen as the mother of the long-awaited Messiah! The Lord on High had given her the greatest blessing a woman would ever know!
4) Mary was HUMBLE in her Will. After hearing this miracle the Lord had chosen specifically for her life, she CHOSE to die to her own will and desires she had for her heart. She knew that this would be hard to explain to her espoused husband Joseph. She also understood that it would affect her testimony, or her reputation, for the rest of her life. She would be seen as unpure, or a fornicator. BUT, she knew would know the truth, and that whatever the Lord had planned for her, HE WOULD TAKE CARE OF, and bless with the GRACE and MERCY needed. So, she chose WISELY, and said, " Behold, the HANDMAID of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.." Luke 1:38.
5) Finally, Mary was HUMBLE in HEART! Luke 2 gives us the story of the performance of those events prophesied by the angel Gabriel, and prophets of old. Mary and Joseph both had to go to Bethlehem to pay taxes and she was great with chlld! Already their new start in the journey of their marriage was challenging, as many other days ahead would be!! BUT: SHE KNEW she was in the center of God's Will, and after a hard physical journey,"being great with child,"Luke 2: 5&6," the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swadddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." The HUMBLE wisewoman of God had to give birth to the Lamb of God in a stable, without so much as one gentleman with manners, to offer up their room for a lady in labor! But nowhere does it say she complained! All new mothers want the best for their child, is VERY particular in every aspect about them, but she HUMBLY held the hand of God that literally had created HER with that HAND! Only God in HIS WISDOM could work out such miracles that night held! Soon after His birth, Shepherds arrived with haste, from receiving the "good tidings of great joy" (Luke 2:10) that the Saviour was finally here! When they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying,which was told them concerning this child. and all they that hear it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. BUT Mary kept all these things and PONDERED them in HER HEART." (Luke 2:174-19).
When they went to the Temple for Jesus' circumcision, again she showed wisdom by HUMBLY listening to another wiseman, (for another post in this series) bless them and prophesy that " (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also,) that the thoughts of many HEARTS may be revealed." This was foretelling Jesus' death on the cross, and the sword that would pierce His side, and no doubt hurt her as much, by seeing it happen to her Son! Oh what heartbreak that would have been as a mother! But God's grace was sending her the promise to help, at least in knowing, that His death would open up direct access to the THRONEROOM of Heaven, and many people would be saved! The Holy Spirit would then stay in the saved people's hearts forever then!
Mary-this great WiseWoman of Christmas, was truly a HUMBLE and righteous woman, that was highly favoured by God, and would be called blessed forever! (Luke 1:48). She was humble in physical purity, and how she thought of herself mentally or spiritually. Her FAITH was humble, which lead to humility to accept God's Will for her life. When this wisewoman died to self and chose God's Will, her heart was humbled by doing so, and God blessed her heart with many miracles ahead! But mostly, her humble heart was blessed beyond measure, with a bond she would forever share with the Son of God! They were so precious that she kept them close in that HUMBLE HEART, AND pondered, or thought on all of it! Only Heaven will reveal one day just how is HUMBLE this WISEWOMAN truly was! May we look inside OUR OWN HEARTS this Christmas, make room there for HIM, and ask to be more HUMBLE in His service.
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