Mary, mother of Jesus. Let’s review some facts about this amazing woman. She was very young, some say she may have still been in her teens when the angel appeared to her. She was not royalty – just your average, everyday girl. No special talents or abilities are attributed to her. She was not married and yet an angel had appeared to her and told her she would have a child.
In those days, that was a huge no-no to be unwed and pregnant, but not once does the Bible ever mention that Mary was ashamed of her situation. She knew she was fulfilling her purpose on earth. She had been chosen to carry this child and she did so without complaint. I’m betting she was ridiculed endlessly. Can you imagine the stares she encountered as her belly started to show? The whispers behind her back… harsh words…shamed looks from family and friends?
Mary is an often overlooked example of a strong woman. Most artwork depicting the virgin Mary are of a motherly woman tenderly holding a baby. Some paintings show her by herself in a bluish garb, head wrapped with downcast eyes and a half smile. Not exactly what I think of when I picture a strong woman, but the more I learn about Mary, the more I have cme to realize she was one of the strongest women to ever walk the earth.
We know very little about Mary’s reaction to the events surrounding her pregnancy, but I am guessing she was probably freaking out. I mean, think about it…an angel shows and tells you you’re gonna have a baby…that’s kind of scary! The angel gave her every detail. She was told she would have a son and he would be called Jesus. The angel also told her that her son would be great and that he would called the “Son of God”. That’s a lot to take in. Mary didn’t just accept it and go about her business. Luke 1:29 says that she was “troubled” by what the angel was saying to her. Mary strikes me as a very intelligent woman and I think she understood the magnitude of what was being asked of her and she was humbled by it.
A small glimpse of Mary’s feelings, as described by Amy Grant and Chris Eaton, can be found in a song titled “Breath of Heaven,” also known as “Mary’s Song” (lyrics posted below). This song is written from Mary’s perspective and gives an emotional description of what she was feeling as she carried baby Jesus in her womb. Listen to “Breath of Heaven” in this YouTube video which features clips from the movie “Jesus of Nazareth”:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC3FGjVQbd8&eurl=]
Mary accepted the responsibility of carrying God’s son. She endured ridicule and nasty looks. She was probably shunned and outcast as well. She endured all that and more. And nowhere is it mentioned that she complained or even asked why. She just willingly fulfilled her purpose to bring Jesus into this world. Mary was a very strong woman indeed.God chose a young woman who was willing to help Him change the world. That’s all Mary had – her willingness to obey. Yes, ordinary women can do extraordinary things. Are you willing to help change the world?
Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song)I have traveled
Many moonless night
Cold and Weary
With a babe inside
And I wonder
What I’ve done
Holy Father
You have come
Chosen me now
To carry your sonI am waiting
in a silent prayer
I am frightened
by the load i bear
In a world as cold as stone
Must I walk this path alone
Be with me now
Be with me now[chorus:]
———————————–
Breath of Heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of HeavenBreath of Heaven
Lighten my darkness
Pour over me, your holyness
For your holy Breath of Heaven
———————————–Do you wonder
As you watch my face
If a wiser one, should of had my place
But I offer-all I am
For the mercy-of your plan
Help me be strong
Help me be
Help me
3 comments
hayley
This is truly an inspirational song. We always hear of the perceptions from male characters in the bible. Its about time we hear about the woman who conceived and gave birth to God. Not many books depict how Mary felt to be given the task of giving birth. Scary enough that she had to give birth at such a young age but noone would have believed her if joseph wasn’t told in a dream and she had the challenge of keeping the baby safe from Herod but I find it difficult to understand that she went through emmense pain to give birth to Jesus only to be pained when he fulfilled his purpose to die. However, we are all saved thanks to Jesus but we forget Mary and joseph as key people too. Mary is such a blessed woman i am glad to have her as my confirmation patron saint. Well done Amy grant for showing us inside her mind. Brilliant and so calm.
Kel1
How in the world did I miss this blog?? :O
This was great, and so very, very true.
So many people have chosen to see the way the ABUSE of Christianity (and all world religions, really) has run roughshod over women. However, if you really look into the Bible, you see how women were absolutely ESSENTIAL to the ministries of so many men. Even today, we have women like the late Mother Teresa who were used by God to reach out and do what others would not or could not do.
Each of us has a purpose, and I find so much inspiration from the women of the Bible. Even if you aren’t a Christian, per se, there is wisdom to be gained from the accounts of the women mentioned within. :)
Penster
Awesome. Very well put my dear….it is so true that we sometimes over look or down play Mary’s role. Any woman good enough to raise the Son of God is pretty great in my eyes!