Luke 1:30 reads “Messenger: Mary, don’t be afraid. You have found favor with God.” 

I love this passage  - like I love absolutely everything about the Christmas story - but in particular, how this passage is not just for the Christmas period. This is relevant to us at any time when we are feeling surprised by unknown circumstances or taken aback by curve balls in our worlds. 

Mary was just going about her business, living the life she knew how to live and loving her Creator to the best of ability. She wasn’t a theology student, a teacher, a chef or even a mother - she was just plain old (but young!) Mary. 

And then out of the seeming blue, although this was no surprise meeting for God, she’s standing in the presence of heaven itself and being told not to fear. Do you wonder what went through her mind in that second? I do. I also wonder what went through her mind every day after that encounter, too. Did those words have a profound impact on her life? I like to think so. 

Take a look at the story below and wonder for yourself - have words similar to these been spoken over you recently? How are you carrying them around?

Mary frowned, shifting uncomfortably on the back of Hamor the donkey. The sun was high in the sky and Joseph’s footsteps were kicking up dust around them.

Mary looked at the back of Joseph’s head and wondered what he was thinking. Was he as anxious to get to the town as she was? Was he worried about what the census takers might say when they got there? Had he thought about where they might stay? These were all the things that she was thinking about, anyway.

Mary chewed on her lip and stroked Hamor’s neck. He was a strong donkey; he’d always been stocky but very capable. She wasn’t worried about him making the journey, but she was starting to wonder if she would. The baby moved in her tummy as if it knew she was feeling that way and she looked behind them.

There were other travellers on the road, coming from different places to take part in the census. The dust kicked up by their own journeys make the air look orange and brown. Mary wondered just how busy Bethlehem would be when they got there and if these other people had places to stay.

Mary’s cousin Elizabeth had had her baby not that long ago and she’d told Mary all about it, how baby John had come into the world. It made Mary all the more worried – what if she had her baby while they were in this other town, away from home and the people that she knew? Away from anyone who could help or take care of her and the baby?

Mary touched Hamor’s wiry mane and thought back to the moment that she had met the angel, the angel that had brought the most incredible news she’d ever heard. His words still echoed in her ears as if he had just been with her – “Mary, don’t be afraid! You have found favour with God.”

Don’t be afraid.

Mary rubbed her eyes and looked at the back of Joseph’s head again and then down at Hamor’s grey hair.

They were strong, reliable, trustworthy and capable. One for carrying her and their belongings on a long journey, the other for taking loving care of every need she would ever have.

Don’t be afraid.

The angel had said that God was pleased with her and if He was pleased with her, surely that meant He would be with her too.

Don’t be afraid.

Mary nodded slowly. The angel had said to not be afraid which could only mean one thing – that God had already made things ready. He was already at work in the next hour, the next day and the next week. There was nothing to be afraid of because He was already there, waiting for her.

Mary looked up at the blue sky and said, “Here I am, Lord. I trust that You have prepared a way for this baby to come. We’ll be ok.”

Mary carried around three words. They were some of the first words spoken to her on that wild journey, and yet some of the most profound. They were important as she stared, probably wide-eyed, at the heavenly Messenger in front of her; they were important as she trusted Joseph to lead them safely to Bethlehem and they were important as she brought a baby into the world amidst farm animals.

What words are you carrying around with you? What words have been spoken into your world that you think might apply to more than just your current circumstances? Can you see how God weaves things together like this, the way that He did for Mary all those years ago?

We might not have any idea what the future holds, but if we can be still and pay attention to the words that He is giving us, we can rest assured that His promises and His presence will be with us at each turn on our journey.

How are you trusting an unknown new year to a known God?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I'm Hannah - mama to two littles and dipping my toes into my next right thing as I learn to navigate this chapter God has called me to. I generally hover in that space between consciousness and coffee as I try to take each day knowing I need grace to get through it. I'm a lover of good words, strong conversation, a well-worn thrift store and a doughy doughnut.