Mary’s Advent Hope

To not esteem Mary’s role seems dishonoring.

Steer clear of mean doctrinal debates. Feel free to disagree but don't do hate.

I was named Mary after Jesus' mother, so I naturally find myself thinking this Advent about her holding baby Jesus in the manger. I wonder. What was that like? My mind floods with earlier contradictory messages of; worship Mary and do not worship Mary.

As a child, Mary was my person. She is the one I talked with because she was my role model. Later, I came to an understanding that, Jesus is the way, the truth, the life. No one goes to the Father except through Him. John 14:6 I still adhere to this. So what was I to do with Mary? Mother Mary, that is. My response for a while was to completely set her aside. Given the extreme devotion to her over Jesus, that was good... to a point.

"For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus," 1 Timothy 2:5 

Now I revisit her importance in Christmas. It seems logical to go there but an internal rule had become, Do not go there. I was not alone as many Protestant voices championed this attitude. Nonetheless, my heart invites me now to simply consider and appreciate her obedience.

What was it like for Mary to?

・endure the slander of an untimely pregnancy... untimely in human perspective, that is.

・watch Jesus perform His first miracle at a wedding?

・lose the Savior?!?! and find Him three days later sitting with the teachers of the law in the temple? (That one freaks me out.)

・hear the shouts of, Hosanna to the King, as people threw palm branches towards her son.

・watch Jesus arrested, sent to prison, falsely accused, and sentenced to death as he took the place of criminal Barabbus?

・hear Him say to John while on the cross, Behold your mother. Even then, Jesus was taking care of her by entrusting her into the care of another who would treat her as his own family.

My heart goes out to Mary while believing whole heartedly that no one goes to the Father except through Christ. He is the only mediator between man and God.

Yet, to not esteem Mary's role seems dishonoring.

So I pause. I thank the Lord for her life. And I thank Him that I was named after this beautiful handmaiden of the Lord...

Mary