Every year, as the holiday season arrives, we return to the familiar story of Christ’s birth. Found in Luke 1, this narrative, often called the Nativity or the birth narrative, captures the awe and wonder of God stepping into human history. It is a story we have heard countless times, yet it continues to be transformative.
This passage is a real account of real people, living in real places, experiencing God’s miraculous intervention. Amid the hustle of Christmas — the crowded stores, endless to-do lists, and the commercialization of the season — it is easy to feel disconnected from the true meaning of this time. However, as we look closer, the Christmas story offers a powerful reminder: God became man to bear our sins and bring hope to the world.
In Luke 1, we encounter Mary, a young woman visited by the angel Gabriel, who delivers a life-altering message from God. Through Mary’s response to God’s Word, we see a model of faith, trust, and obedience that inspires us to approach God’s message with open hearts. As we explore her story, we will be encouraged to receive and respond to God’s Word in the same way Mary did.
1. Receive God’s Word Because It Is for Everyone
The story of Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel is a powerful reminder that God’s Word is for everyone, regardless of status, background, or location. Mary was an ordinary young woman, living in a small, overlooked town called Nazareth. This was no destination city — it was the kind of place people passed through on their way to somewhere else. Mary herself was not from a prominent family or position; she was simply a teenager, betrothed to a carpenter named Joseph. Yet, God chose her for an extraordinary role in His divine plan.
This choice was not because Mary was extraordinary in herself, but because God’s grace is for all people. If God’s Word came to Mary and Joseph, it is clear that His Word is also for us. No one is too small, insignificant, or ordinary to be known, loved, or used by God. The same Word that brought Mary the promise of Jesus is available to us today, accessible through the Bible, which has been protected and preserved across centuries so we can hear directly from God whenever we choose to read it.
It is easy to take the accessibility of the Bible for granted. We often seek answers to life’s challenges in countless other places when the greatest source of truth and wisdom is right in front of us. The Bible contains the revealed mysteries of God, offering the keys to salvation and the abundant life He promises. It has been carefully translated into countless languages, ensuring that people from every nation, social status, and background can hear from God personally.
During the Reformation, the Word of God was largely locked behind the Latin language, unintelligible to most ordinary people. Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin worked tirelessly to translate the Scriptures into languages that people could understand, empowering them to hear directly from God’s Word for the first time. Today, we hold in our hands what was once considered the privilege of the elite: direct communication from the Creator of the universe.
For Mary, God’s Word came in the form of a personal message from the angel Gabriel: though she was a virgin, she would conceive and give birth to the Savior of the world. The angel proclaimed Jesus’ name, which means “God saves,” and announced the purpose of His coming — to save humanity from sin and restore a broken relationship with God. This message of salvation remains central to the Word of God, revealing the hope that is available to all people. God’s Word, like the message to Mary, is good and a blessing to everyone who receives it. It invites us to trust God’s promises and to experience the peace and purpose He offers.
As we approach a new year, consider how you engage with God’s Word. Do you have a consistent plan to read and reflect on Scripture? If not, now is the time to create one. Choose a time, a place, and a method that works for you. Let the Bible, God’s personal message to you, become a regular part of your life. Like Mary, receive God’s Word with trust and gratitude, knowing that it is a gift for you to treasure and live by.
2. Receive God’s Word Even Though It Can Be Challenging and Confusing
Receiving God’s Word is not always straightforward. Like Mary’s encounter with Gabriel, it can sometimes catch us off guard, challenge our understanding, and even leave us confused. Yet, these moments are opportunities for growth and deeper faith. When Gabriel greeted Mary as “favored one,” her initial reaction was not immediate joy or understanding. Instead, she was troubled and perplexed, trying to grasp what was happening. This response is deeply relatable. How often do we encounter parts of God’s Word that leave us puzzled or even overwhelmed? Mary’s response reminds us to approach these moments with patience and a willingness to listen.
God’s Word has a way of surprising us. Like Mary, we may not expect the challenges it brings or the truths it reveals. Gabriel’s message to Mary included extraordinary claims: she would conceive as a virgin, and her son would be the Divine Messiah, the Son of God, whose kingdom would never end. These were truths beyond human comprehension, yet Mary chose to stay engaged with the message. Similarly, as we read Scripture, we may encounter passages that take us aback. Think of Genesis 22, when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, or Matthew 5, where Jesus speaks of cutting off a hand or gouging out an eye if it causes sin. These passages can leave us asking, “What does this mean?” But just as Gabriel gently explained to Mary how the impossible would happen, God is patient with us, revealing His wisdom over time as we remain faithful in seeking understanding.
Sometimes God’s Word is not just surprising; it can feel outright confusing. Mary’s genuine confusion was evident when she asked, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” Her question was not a rejection of God’s Word but an honest request for clarity. Gabriel’s response was both patient and encouraging, pointing to the power of the Holy Spirit and reminding her, “For nothing will be impossible with God.”
This truth applies to us as well. When we encounter passages or commands in Scripture that seem improbable or hard to grasp, we are reminded that God’s wisdom far exceeds our own. As Isaiah 55:9 says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Our role is not to make God’s Word fit into our limited logic but to trust it, even when we do not fully understand it.
Gabriel’s assurance to Mary — that nothing is impossible with God — should be a foundational truth for us as well. It reminds us to press into God’s Word rather than pull away when we face confusion or doubt. God’s Word is not subject to human logic or cultural expectations. Instead, it stands as His ultimate truth, and our responsibility is to believe it and obey it.
When Scripture feels overwhelming or hard to reconcile, remember this: God’s Word is true whether we fully understand it or not. Like Mary, we can choose to trust in His promises and rely on His faithfulness, knowing that He will provide clarity in His time.
3. Like Mary, Respond to God’s Word in Faith and Obedience
Mary’s story teaches us to receive God’s Word and calls us to respond to it with faith and obedience. Her example shows that even in the face of confusion, challenges, and overwhelming circumstances, obedience to God is the only rational response. When Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38), she demonstrated remarkable faith and surrender. Despite the personal cost and the uncertainties of what lay ahead, she accepted God’s plan. Mary acknowledged her position as God’s servant and submitted herself fully to His will.
This level of obedience is what God desires from all of us. He is patient with our questions and merciful when we struggle to understand, but His expectation remains the same: trust Him and obey His Word. Why? Because His Word is not just a set of instructions — it is the revelation of His perfect plan for our lives, crafted by the Creator who knows us better than we know ourselves.
Mary’s faithful obedience did not just impact her life; it influenced others, including her son, Jesus. While we can only imagine how Mary’s example shaped Jesus during His earthly life, her attitude of “Your will be done” resonates profoundly in the Garden of Gethsemane. Facing the cross, Jesus prayed, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Mary’s influence as a mother likely played a role in shaping that unwavering obedience.
Our obedience to God’s Word has a ripple effect. It not only transforms our own lives but also influences those around us — our families, friends, and communities. By choosing to trust God and live according to His Word, we become living testimonies of His grace and truth. Parents, this is a powerful reminder of your divine responsibility to pass on the things of faith to your children. Your example of trusting and obeying God’s Word, even in challenging times, will leave a lasting impact. Whether through daily routines, family prayers, or how you live out your faith in the face of trials, your obedience can shape how your children view and follow God.
As Mary showed us, obedience is not limited to the easy or comfortable parts of life. It is about trusting God even when His plans seem countercultural or difficult. It is about believing that His ways are higher than ours and that His purposes are always for our good and His glory. This Christmas season, take time to reflect on Mary’s example. Consider how you can demonstrate faith and obedience to God’s Word in your life. Whether through simple acts of faith, stepping out in courage, or setting an example for those around you, let this season be a reminder that God’s plans are worth trusting — even when they are challenging.
