This year I have been excited about all of the holiday seasons and have had a lot of holiday spirit. I normally enjoy the holidays, but this year I have been even more excited then usual. I have also spent a great deal of time thinking about the true meaning of Christmas. Tonight, my family watched The Nativity Story. I have always thought that the movie had been done well and did a great job depicting the true meaning of the season and the hardships that went along with the incredible story. After watching the movie, I decided to go through each gospel of the Bible to read the story of the birth of Jesus. The gospel of Luke tells the most detailed version of the story. I find that I often think about what an incredible event that took place when Jesus was born, but I overlook all of the details and do not see it for what it truly is.

1. Mary was willing to give up everything when the angel of the Lord told her that she was with child. The only hesitation that she made was because she did not understand how she could be with child since she was a virgin. The angel simply told her that it would be from the Holy Spirit. Mary declared herself a servant of God.

Mary knew that this would change her life for ever. She was pledged to be married. She knew that Joseph would leave her. She knew that she would not be accepted by the people around her if she became pregnant out of wedlock. She knew that people would not believe her, yet she accepted it without question. She was more than willing to accept God’s calling on her to carry the Son of God.

How often does God ask us to do something as small talking to someone about salvation? How often do we fight Him and come up with a million and one reasons why we cannot do it? I know that I have an impossible time just trusting God. He has never asked me to do anything that would change my life dramatically, yet I still always argue and try to find a way around it.

2. Mary was not only willing, but she was joyful. She did not see losing everything she knew as a burden, she saw it only as an honor to carry the Son of God. What an honor that was! She praised God for choosing her and glorified Him. She gave up all she knew to carry out God’s will and to bring the most precious infant into the world. She could have fought, she could have complained about what being pregnant would do to her reputation, she could have found a way out of it. But she didn’t.

It saddens me to think back to all of the times I have not done what God called me to do or times when I did do what He called me to do but I complained the entire time. God has not asked me to change my life drastically. He has not asked me to do anything that would lead my family and friends to scorn me. He has not asked me to do anything outlandish. Even still, I fight and try to do my own will. I am slowly but surely learning that His will is above all else. It is not easy by any means, but I desire to follow His calling without hesitation. I want to be Mary. I want to respond to God saying, “I am the Lord’s servant… May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38). I want to accept His calling as an honor not a burden. “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant.” (Luke 1:46b-48a).