Mary, the mother of Jesus

Motherhood is a special privilege for women. Being the mother of Jesus is even more extraordinary. God did not choose just any woman to bear his son. The story begins with the angel Gabriel announcing to the priest Zechariah that his wife Elizabeth would miraculously give birth to a son, whom he should name John (according to...). Lk 1,5-25He later became known as John the Baptist. It was in the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy that the angel Gabriel also appeared to Mary, who lived in Nazareth. He said to her: "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you!" (Lk 1,28). Mary could hardly believe what she had just heard: “She was startled at the words and thought: What kind of greeting is this?” (verse 29).

Jesus was conceived through a miracle, through the power of the Holy Spirit, before Mary had a marital relationship with Joseph: “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.” (Lk 1,34-35).

To be chosen to bear the Son of God was a great privilege, a great blessing from God for Mary. Mary later visited Elizabeth, her relative; Elizabeth exclaimed as she approached her: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Lk 1,42).

The question arises as to why God chose Mary among all the young women in Nazareth. What made them different from the others? Is it her virginity? Did God choose her because of her sinlessness or because she came from a prominent family? The honest answer is that we don't know the exact reason for God's decision.

The Bible places special emphasis on virginity, particularly in relation to marital relationships and sexual purity. God did not choose Mary based on her lack of sin. The Bible states that no human being who has ever lived is without sin: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Röm 3,23-24)Mary was a sinner, just like you and me.

Why did God choose her? God chose Mary out of grace, not because of what she had done, who she was, or her lineage. God's grace is undeserved. Mary did not deserve to be chosen. None of us deserves to be chosen by God to dwell in us. God chose Mary out of grace: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one may boast." (Eph 2,8).
God chose Mary to carry Jesus for the same reason He chose you, so that Jesus might live in you. Mary was simply the first person in whom God lived. Today, He lives in all who believe in God: “To them God chose to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Kol 1,27).

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus this month, remember that you, like Mary, are highly valued by God. If you have not yet accepted Jesus as your Redeemer and Savior, God desires to dwell within you. You can say, like Mary: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” (Lk 1,38).

by Takalani Musekwa

More articles about the mother of Jesus:

Jesus and the women

The gift of motherhood