Wait...

Each day this week, our kiddos have asked, “Is it Christmas yet?”

They’ve been patiently waiting, impatiently. Waiting to celebrate, waiting to go to church on Christmas Eve, waiting to open gifts, waiting for Santa’s arrival, waiting for the excitement they can hardly contain. Though they know it is coming, they can’t yet know the exact moment or time, so each day, the questions flow: How many more days? When will we go to church? When can I give so-and-so their gift? 

All the anticipation, excitement, and unknown in their hearts has me thinking about Mary today. 

In Luke 1, we read about Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel. He tells her that she will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and that He is to be named Jesus (Luke 1:31). He proceeds to tell her that “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High… [and that] His kingdom will have no end” (Luke 1:32-33). 

Talk about excitement! Mary was told that she would have a child who was going to be great, called Son of the Most High, and His Kingdom would have NO end. However, with that came some other big emotions: fear, doubt, and confusion. How could this be? She was a virgin. She doubted in confusion but the angel assured her that nothing is impossible with God. Though she was feeling a myriad of emotions, as I’m sure I would have been too, she responded, “I am the Lord’s slave, ... May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:37-38). 

First and foremost, I long to have an obedient heart like Mary. She had just received earth shattering news (literally). News that could not be comprehended by her parents, grandparents, friends, family, and even Joseph. It wouldn’t make sense to anyone but her, but she obediently responded in a humble way. 

Secondly, if someone told me that I was going to have a son who was great, Son of the Most High, and His Kingdom would have no end, I’d be expecting the royal treatment. However, in Mary’s position: a virgin, unwed but engaged, young, and pregnant, she couldn’t expect anything but judgment. How could anyone even believe her story? Was it a cover-up? Was it a scandal? I’m sure those were in the whispers surrounding her. So she remained humble by her circumstances. I wonder how many times she called on God’s name throughout her pregnancy to quiet those whispers that were stirring around her. How many times did she pray asking God to make it easier? How many times did she ask God to show her why He picked her? I wonder what she thought and how she felt throughout her nine months of pregnancy.

We can see how Satan pursued Jesus throughout Scripture. But we can’t see the ways in which he pursued Mary. Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:12 “For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.” Reading this, we can assume that Satan tempted Mary, as she carried and parented the One who would be great, who would be the Son of the Most High, and who would have a kingdom without end. Though we don’t have those details, we can see that Mary prevailed, fulfilling her purpose and walking successfully in the will of God, despite the circumstances and difficulties she faced. 

She prayed, she moved forward in obedience, and she waited… expectantly, hopefully, obediently, nervously, and excitedly. 

What are you waiting for?

Are you waiting on test results? 

Are you waiting on a loved one to change? 

Are you waiting for recovery or reconciliation? 

Are you waiting on a check or financial change? 

For summer or for warmer weather? 

Are you waiting for this all to be over?

Are you, too, waiting for a child, like Mary? 

Whatever it is that you’re waiting on, don’t quit waiting. Wait with the anticipation of a child who waits for Christmas each year. Wait with the obedience of Mary. Wait expectantly, hopefully, and excitedly, knowing that we serve The Most High. And wait, humbly, knowing that even if we don’t get the very thing we’re hoping for, our God’s kingdom has no end, and we still get the very thing we need most: Jesus. 

Friends, for as beautiful and sparkly as Christmas is, it is also just as complicated and hard. Whatever your day looks like, I’m praying that you feel God’s presence and peace. Have a great weekend and safe travels to all the moving parts involved in your celebrations. 

“I am the Lord’s slave,”... “May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).