Advent: Faith
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him (Heb 11:6)
The significance of the historical rootedness of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus cannot be denied. The story of Jesus’s birth is not a pagan myth, a tall tale, or a religious account describing the triumph of good over evil.
No, the account of Jesus’s birth introduces us to various events that eventually lead to the birth of Jesus—God the Son made flesh, the Creator stooping to be created, the True Hero of the true story of the whole world.
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you! (Luke 1:26–28)
Mary, when she is first met by the angel Gabriel, is filled with fear and concern. Yet, despite being greatly troubled, she does not respond with incredulity or skepticism…
Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end (Luke 1:30–33)
Clearly, Mary appears to know God and the Hebrew Scriptures well enough to recognize the familiar ring of promise and deliverance in Gabriel’s directive, who articulates the scope of salvation history by referencing the throne of David…
Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness’ (Jer 23:5–6)
…and the house of Jacob (God eventually changes his name to Israel) whose twelve sons make up the twelve tribes of Israel. This part of the story hearkens all the way back to God’s promise to Abraham—Jacob’s grandfather…
Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Gen 12:1–3)
To all of this, Mary responds in faith, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
She believes that God exists—that is all he asks. He will do the rest.
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him (Heb 11:6)
Sing Mary’s Song
Mary responds with a magnificent song of worship. God graced her with the ability to understand in deep and meaningful ways the significance of God’s call on her life, and perhaps even the cost of doing so. Her faithful obedience matters still today…
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever (Luke 1:46–55).
Meditate on Mary’s song this week, maybe even sing it with her. Listen for the distant thrum of hope and joy, fix your gaze on the horizon, Jesus is coming again.
