Luke 1:38 – Let It Be This Christmas

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38 ESV)

Christmas is here and this passage from Luke will be read countless times today. Let us learn from Mary as we read it. An angel appears with world changing news, and not just for those who profess Jesus as Lord and Savior; but in a very real, very immediate sense for Mary. It is all too easy to simply gloss over this. But consider for a moment, what did Mary really say? Let’s unpack her response. She said: I understand my future husband can divorce me for being unfaithful even though I wasn’t. I understand people in my town will think I am a woman who sleeps around though I’m not. I understand nobody will believe me when I tell them this pregnancy is a miracle (would you?). She is saying I understand my child will be looked upon as a bastard his entire life in our town of 100. I understand I won’t get to first enjoy my new life with my husband, but will immediately have a baby to care for. This could not have been an easy response for Mary. People were not going to look at her and exclaim, “What a Godly woman!” No, they would mock her and say bad things of her, and unjustly at that.

While Mary isn’t someone we should worship, she is a shining light leading us toward a simple yet confident faith. A faith that first says, “Whatever God wishes in my life he can do, for I exist to bring him glory and fulfill his purpose, not the other way around. And I am confident that he will work it all out for my good (Romans 8:28) and his glory.”

Today, join Mary in responding, “let it be” God.