The Chosen One

As the days pass, and we arrive closer to the day in which many of us celebrate Christmas, my mind attempts to create an image of a pregnant Mary, carrying the child who will be called the “Son of the Highest” (Luk 1:32). Tonight, let’s embrace Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ.

Mary, a virgin who is engaged to be married to Joseph, is met by an angel, who arrives to her in a dream. The angel informs her that she is favored by GOD, and blessed among women (Luk 1:28). GOD has chosen her to carry HIS son. She questions the angel as to how this is possible. “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Luk 1:34). And the angel explains to 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” (Luk 1:35). The angel also tells her of her cousin Elisabeth, an elderly woman, who for years was considered barren, is now six months pregnant in her old age. Mary believes in the angel’s message from GOD, trusting that through HIM everything is possible. Later, her womb is filled with GOD’s son. Meanwhile, Joseph, Mary’s fiancé, is also contacted by an angel in a dream, revealing to him that Mary is pregnant with GOD’s son and not to put her away. As we know, the lives of Mary and Joseph are forever changed. What makes this story so astounding to me is not only the conception of Jesus, but that GOD chooses what appears to be an ‘ordinary’ woman as the mother of his child.

To me, Mary is the epitome of a virtuous woman. Not only did she faithfully trust in the word of GOD, but in doing so, GOD chooses her to birth HIS son. Can you imagine being Mary and knowing that you have favor with GOD? So much, that HE holds you responsible for nurturing HIS child?

From the story of Mary and Joseph, I have learned that GOD uses the virtuous woman in ways that I could have never fathomed. It’s a reminder that when GOD sees it fit, anyone at anytime can be used. I ask myself, “At this very moment, am I prepared to be used?”

This Christmas while I am honoring the birth of Jesus Christ, I will also be thanking GOD for the example of Mary, an ‘ordinary’ virtuous woman. Not to mention, I will be preparing myself to be the chosen one.

Merry Christmas With LOV