Mary's "Yes"

Every year as Christmas rolls around, we hear the familiar story of the birth of Jesus. And truly, it is such a unique and powerful story.

One of my favorite parts of the biblical Christmas narrative is Mary’s song of praise, found in Luke 1:46–55 (NLT):

Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things!He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands.He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.”

What makes this passage so remarkable is when Mary spoke these words.

She said all of this before she gave birth to Jesus.

At the time, Mary was visiting her cousin Elizabeth, who was also experiencing a miraculous pregnancy. Elizabeth was well past childbearing age, yet God had filled her womb with a son who would one day become John the Baptist.

Mary had likely gone to Elizabeth looking for encouragement and understanding as she faced her own impossible situation. She had just left her hometown days after the angel appeared to her with life-altering news. Soon, that town would be full of whispers and judgment. She didn’t yet know how her fiancé would respond. She didn’t have answers, a plan, or a clear picture of what it would mean to give birth to the Son of God.

But she had heard the angel say, “Do not be afraid.”

And in that moment, Mary chose to believe that God would come through for her.

So when she arrived at Elizabeth’s home, she spoke this poem—this declaration of praise and trust.

Every year when I hear it, my heart is stirred.

Go back. Read it again.

Mary was standing in the middle of deep uncertainty, and yet she praised God and clung to the promises He had given to His people. She spoke truth—not only to Elizabeth, who was also navigating an uncertain pregnancy—but to herself. She chose faith over fear.

Some of us might think, But she was Mary—the mother of God. Of course she had faith.

But she was also a young teenager from a poor village who had every reason to live in fear.

You and I have the same choice.

God is present in the middle of your situation, too. His promises and salvation are for you and for me. We can choose to believe Him—or we can cling to our fears and emotions.

This Christmas, may you be comforted by the words of Mary, and may you choose faith as well.

• Where are you being asked to trust before you see the outcome?

• What would praise look like in the middle of your uncertainty?

My challenge to you is to go back and read the story of Christmas in Luke 1-2. Let the truth of it soak into your heart and mind, and give you courage to face whatever it is that God is calling you to right now.