When I was young, my church put on a Christmas pageant every year. At age 8, I was given the extreme honor of performing a solo for that year’s pageant. My shining moment came as Mary and Joseph were traveling to Bethlehem, looking for somewhere safe to stay where Mary could give birth to Jesus. As Mary and Joseph came upon the inn my character was “working” at, I burst into song, repeating over and over, “No room. No room.”
That’s it. “No room.” My twenty seconds of fame. (Twenty might be generous.)
This follows the story I learned about Mary growing up: She was visited by an angel and told she would give birth to Jesus. She was afraid Joseph, her fiancé, would leave her, but he was then visited by an angel too! They traveled on a donkey to Bethlehem for a census, and while they were there, the time came for Mary to give birth. But there wasn’t anywhere for them to stay! (Time for my solo—“No room. No room.”) And so when Jesus was born, He was laid in a manger, a food trough for animals. He grew up, and that’s when the story really began.
For the most part, this was all I’d really learned about Mary. But one of the best parts of Mary’s story actually came at the very beginning, when she was first visited by the angel. When the angel told her she would be the mother of Jesus, God’s own Son, she was quick to question, ”How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?” (Luke 1:34). Mary was likely confused and concerned, given her engagement to Joseph, as any young woman would be upon receiving such news. But the angel counters her confusion and fear with a reminder of the power of the Lord her God. He told Mary that the child she was carrying would be called the Son of God. And then he reminded her of her cousin Elizabeth and the son she was carrying after years of infertility. Nothing is impossible with God.
Mary’s response to the angel is simple and powerful: “I am the Lord’s servant…May it happen to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38). Before Jesus was even born, His mother was committed to being a servant of the Lord. Even though her life was being turned upside down, her own plans disrupted, and her future with Joseph was unsure, one thing remained true: She was a servant of the Lord. And because she trusted in the Lord, she knew that His plans for her life were better than the ones she had herself.
In moments of uncertainty, when we’re told that something will likely turn our life upside down, we may try to cope with it by hanging on to whatever sense of control we think we have at that time. We try to keep a tight, white-knuckled grip on what we think we know to be best for us; those are easy reactions that offer a false sense of security. But Mary did the exact opposite—she let go. And with open hands she gave herself to God’s plan.
Leave a Reply
107 thoughts on "Mary of Nazareth"
I think motherhood has taught me that serving and caring for your children can be part of God’s great plan. In the mundane everyday you form an integral part of God’s plan and it’s in action right now. So let’s bow our heads, humble our hearts and trust in the Lord!
Amen. Surrender, trusting God, leaning into His plan, what a testament to hold on to.
Amazing! Patience is something I am working on! Amen!
This was so powerful and such a great reminder to surrender to give to God’s will. Something im working on so much right now!
Beautiful reminder of how God creates the beautiful tapestry while we are unaware. The link between Elizabeth’s pregnancy and Mary’s. Trusting God’s instruction is hard. When I think of Mary’s age and the dynamic of being engaged, and the social implications of her situation, it reminds me of young women who are pregnant and because they can’t see beyond the circumstance end their pregnancies. God is with those women. He is knitting that child together in the womb and will be with that frightened young lady. He will not leave or forsake. An angel may not appear to her, but Gods’s word is His promise. Thank you Lord for your redeeming love. I know this is not directly related to Mary’s story, but it’s what the Lord brought to mind. ❤️
I am new to the Bible this much in depth, from what I remember there isn’t much to be said about Joseph. Does anyone have any Bible verses they know they talk about him and what kind of man he was? I guess I could google but figured I’d ask here first.
Check out Matthew 1!
The Christmas story is often unintentionally sterilized from the very human realities of its characters, like Mary. If I were Mary, and after a pregnancy of scrutiny and criticism, found out I needed to go on a week-long backpacking trip at 40-weeks pregnant, I might have lost faith that God was good or cared about me. She didn’t have a clean hospital room to give birth in, let alone the women from home I’m sure wanted to surround her and care for her during birth and these early post-partum days. Yet her heart wasn’t filled with bitterness and doubt. Instead, she was filled with gratitude and wonder— maybe not every second of the journey, but enough that is what is remembered of her. There is so much to take in from this sister in Christ’s story.
♥️
Amen ❤️
❤✝️
❤️
Sisters, please keep me in your prayers. I am going through a lot right now & have to make a lot of decisions that have long term consequences. Please pray for wisdom and guidance & for the ability to trust God. I have been feeling like I have lost faith & even the strength to pray is gone. Please pray for my family also. I have a daughter & my husband has really done something terrible that has shattered the whole family. I don’t know what to do but I want to keep my eyes on God.
Thank you.
Praying for you and your family. Thank you for sharing your heart with us so we can lift you up to the Father. HE makes a way when there seems to be no way. HE restores us. HE binds up our wounds. And NOTHING is impossible for HIM.
Praying for you and your family.
May God hold you and comfort you in His righteous right hand.
I pray that God will help you to make the correct decisions going forward from the situation caused by your husband
I encourage you to seek counsel from a trusted Christian woman whom you feel that you could confide in
Please do not think of this as a reason to lose your faith
It is a reason to lift your eyes to God and to God alone.
Yes, your world may feel like it has shattered but God is the great restorer
Do not do anything rash.
Gods will
Gods timing
Gods glory
I know you feel torn apart right now but if you let Him God will guide you through this and strengthen you
You are a beloved daughter of His and He will not let you go
Cling to Him
Praying for you and your family, dear sister! You are never alone! Our precious Father is holding you close and we are all lifting you up! ❤️
Praying, sister, for you and your family. ❤️
Thank you for trusting us with this heart rending need! We are here for you! ❤
Praying for your family. I am so sorry you’re going through such a challenge. Sending you love and hugs.
I will pray, Royal Kid
Amen
Lord, teach me to trust in You, and to not try to control everything around me. I know that Your plans are better than mine. I pray to be more like Mary and have the servant’s heart to not worry about what comes my way and to trust in God. Amen!!!
This section from today’s devotional stood out to me and had me thinking: “Mary’s response to the angel is simple and powerful: “I am the Lord’s servant…May it happen to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38). Before Jesus was even born, His mother was committed to being a servant of the Lord. Even though her life was being turned upside down, her own plans disrupted, and her future with Joseph was unsure, one thing remained true: She was a
servant of the Lord. And because she trusted in the Lord, she knew that His plans for her life were better than the ones she had herself.”
I appreciate this because it reveals more than just Mary’s relationship with God in that moment. It reveals that He has been at work in her heart and in her life from the beginning, as young as she is. This isn’t just some random lower-case-g god – Mary knows who the Lord is, and when tasked by the angel to remember Him and, she does and she speaks out in faith.This isn’t something I have thought about much, but Mary’s life didn’t just start at this point in her story. May I trust in the Lord as Mary did, rooted in His faithfulness.
Appreciate your thoughts. Thank you❤️
Amen, Kira.
Good late morning sweet She’s. Sometimes when I think of Mary, I can’t imagine, being so young and so committed and trusting the unknown at such a young age, yet she knew Who was calling her and obeyed and it must’ve been hard having the finger pointed at her, pregnant out of wedlock, yet she continued to trust our Father God. So glad she did because 2000 years later, here we’re are!! Joining you this late morning from Santa Cruz, CA. Enjoying my SRT devo on the beach! Love you sweeties!!
Mari, thanks for bringing that up. I’m sure Mary’s life was not easy. Being pregnant before marriage, even though she and Joseph knew the truth, must have been very difficult in that time. And she was raising the Son of God. I’m sure she felt the responsibility very heavily. She also had the horror of watching her beloved son crucified on the cr[ss. She was a true servant of The Lord, and He was with her through it all. My heart goes out to Mary, and I’m in awe of her faith.
Whatever You want to do, Lord, I’m here for it. I’m Yours! I love her servants heart, her trust no matter what. We see it in both stories! Mary knew God was faithful, no matter what!
Do whatever he tells you,” his mother told the servants.
Jesus is the solution to every problem. He is the solution or He has the solution.
Wow! What if I followed that wisdom. What if I had this radical obedience in my life.
Lord, speak your servant is listening.
what a question! thank you.
Good morning, precious sisters! I know that many of you are praying for prodigals (whether they be children, grandchildren, spouses,friends, parents, etc.) Someone mentioned feeling like God wasn’t answering their prayers. My ex-husband (who I have never mentioned) proclaimed to be a Christian but was far from the Lord. I prayed daily for him to be the spiritual leader of our family, to be a Godly husband, and a Godly father. It never happened. There were times when I had to just tell the Lord that I was taking a break from praying for him because it was just too hard. The Lord reminded me that my ex had the final say so on his spiritual condition because of free will. God moved and worked in his heart but he chose not to change. After almost 24 years of marriage God released me from that commitment and we divorced. It was hard but I felt so free afterwards. A short time later God brought Jack into my life. I was not looking for anyone and truly felt like I was done with men but God had another plan. Thank you, Lord!!!
I say all this to encourage all of you who are praying and are not seeing any change in your loved ones. God is in control and it’s okay to take a break from praying for them sometimes. We are all holding your loved ones up in prayer and praying that you can have a peace in this situation.
❤️
This is so encouraging to me!
Sweet Lynne…..Thank you for sharing your story!! We all learn something new about one another We might have a similar story. It may have been very hard for both of us, but I’m so thankful for our children.
thank you, Lynne. Watching someone reject God is one of the hardest things – exercising their free will in a heartbreaking way. Joining you in prayer for all in need.
Thank you for sharing your story, Lynne. God certainly hears our prayers, and answers in His timing.
We, too, are often asked to trust God in situations that feel confusing, overwhelming, or costly. Like Mary, we may feel unqualified or unnoticed. But God isn’t looking for the perfect—He’s looking for the willing. When we choose to say, “I am the Lord’s servant,” we open our lives to His purpose, even when we don’t understand it all.
What is God asking you to say yes to today? Is fear or uncertainty holding you back? Let Mary’s story remind you that your obedience—no matter how small—can be part of something eternal.
So Thankful for this study. Prayer request for flare up of an illness. Prayer for healing id love.
Praying now for you, M E
Praying ❤️
Lifting you up in prayer.
praying, M E
M E, I’m praying for your healing
Mary’s response to the Angel brought this to my mind:
From SRT Podcast May 28 2021
Guest, Lysa Terkhuerst’s daily prayer to orient her heart toward the kingdom of God
* God, I want to see You.
* God, I want to hear You.
* God, I want to follow hard after You.
* And I know, God, You are good.
* You are good to me.
* You are good at being God.
* Therefore, this morning, I trade my will for Thy will because I’m so assured that You will guide me through this.
* Thank you that I don’t have to figure everything out.
* As I walk into this day, I’m intentionally going to look for someone to forgive, someone to bless, and look for evidence all around me of Your goodness. Amen.”
❤️
WOW! So grateful you brought this back to mind, Cindy! I am keeping it close.
Thank you for sharing, Cindy! I just added that episode to my queue. Sounds like a good one, as they all are
”“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares Yahweh. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.“
Isaiah 55:8-9 LSB
Mary had a simple trust in God. He said it, she believed it and she surrendered to His will. She knew His plans were better than hers.
Help us remember this as we go throughout our day, Lord! Help us to remember our Why so we don’t lose our way!
Praying for all!
Ellen’s last paragraph is so beautiful to me! I noticed Kelly referenced it, too.
.
The phrase
“Let go and let God”
was popular for a while. It still applies to us today. Easier said than done!
.
Praying with you sisters that we will rely on Him for the strength to let God work out His plan for our lives.
.
Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
Casting Crowns’ song, Make Room addresses the issue of letting go (trading our dreams for his glory) in these partial lyrics:
Is there room in your heart?
Is there room in your heart?
Is there room in your heart
For God to write His story?
You can come as you are
But it may set you apart
When you make room in your heart
And trade your dreams for His glory
Make room in your heart
Make room in your heart
.
Also, I just read a book by Deborah Raney that is a great example of this. Beautiful read!
❤️
Thank you for the author recommendation. I have one of her books in my kindle library I have yet to read. Always looking for good Christian authors.
Very welcome! ❤
I remember reading Mary’s response to the angel in Luke 1:38 around Advent time & being so moved by it! It’s simple really, but so profound. I pray for a faith like hers where I surrender fully no matter the circumstance!
“She was a servant of the Lord. And because she trusted in the Lord, she knew that His plans for her life were better than the ones she had herself…..And with open hands she gave herself to God’s plan.”
These words/thoughts from the devotional are a challenge to me as far as the attitude and my heart posture should be. A humble servant, living with open handed obedience, ready and willing to just move in the way God leads.
Lord, may my heart be so near to yours that I move faithfully forward, trusting in your plans in every way. Amen
Thank you for praying for me. As it turns out I have a very atypical presentation of a kidney stone. Thankfully, thus far that means I have far less pain than would be expected and my symptoms are leaving me just feeling blah and uncomfortable but overall mild and manageable. I have been referred to a specialist for what is likely a laser procedure but no appt as of yet. In the meantime, best case scenario is it could pass on its own so praying that will happen as quickly and painlessly as possible. Thank you again for praying.❤️
Praying dear Wendy.
praying, Wendy, and thankful it’s “only” a kidney stone.
I’m praying for you, Wendy.
Wendy, I am thankful for this report and pray along with you that the stone will pass on its own without much pain or that the referral goes through quickly! ❤
Imagine Mary – engaged, betrothed and maybe dreaming of what life would be like married to Joseph. They would marry, they would settle somewhere and at just the right time they would start a family. But God. He had a different plan, one that she never could have imagined on her own. And as Ellen states, “she knew that His plans for her life were better than the ones she had herself.’
—
Oh how often have I made my plans, figured it all out and knew just what I was going to do. And then God stepped in and said, “uh, uh, uh, I have a different plan.” I didn’t always feel like His plan was the better one, but time and time again – He has proved that His way is always better!
.
Proverbs 3:5-6 comes to mind –
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
—
Trust in the Lord – His way is perfect!
—
Update on my prayer request: Do to a very busy schedule, the mom is not able to meet up this week. Needless to say, my concerns will be put on hold.
—
Praying for your requests – have a blessed day! ❤️
❤
I am so grateful that we have the Lord to walk with us in this life. He will never leave us or forsake us.
SEARCHING thank you for praying for my children and my grandchildren and their salvation.
There are many of us who have loved ones who are lost. Many of us with children and grandchildren, (depending on our age) who are lost.
Lord, I pray that you would work in the lives of our loved ones. I pray that they would see Jesus in us that You would be glorified in their lives and that we would continue to demonstrate how much You love us.
And Lord, I pray that we would have the trust and the confidence in you that Mary surely did.
In Jesus Holy Name, Amen.
Amen! ❤
Amen!
Praying along with you!!
But Mary did the exact opposite—she let go. And with open hands she gave herself to God’s plan. Great devo!
I’m finally coming up for air after my brother’s passing and all the activity that comes afterwards. But now, in the quiet, I find myself lost, not knowing what to do with myself, too much time on my hands to sit around and think (I’m a teacher so off for the summer) … and I am anxious and sad. I have a great support system, but for some reason I feel lonely. I want to “let go” like Mary, fully trusting that the Lord’s plans are the best but it is hard!!!
Grief is such a strange companion, isn’t it? Especially after all the time you spent serving and caring for your brother, I imagine these open days feel very disorienting. Praying that God meets you in your lonely lament and that you will be able to turn your anxious thoughts to ones of reliance and rest. The Lord told Israel that “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength” (Isaiah 30:15). Their enemy of peace looked different than the one(s) you are facing, but I think we can borrow the principle :)❤️
Beautifully said Rachel!✝️
Praying for you Tami. It can be quite an adjustment after throwing all your time and energy into the care of your brother. May God minister to your heart as you “re-adjust” and find your “new normal”. Take time for yourself to rest and recoup and wait on God to show you the next steps. ❤️
Good to see you here, Tami. I was thinking of you yesterday. ❤
Prayers for peace in the quiet as you grieve. Could you take a short getaway where you can relax and enjoy some new scenery- a place to grieve away from painful memories, where you can recall happier times with BJ? Thinking of Lynne’s recent trip and how it blessed her. ❤
I think we may do just that. And take my nieces as well.
❤❤❤
Praying for you, Tami, as you go through the grieving process!
Praying for you, Tami, in this difficult time! Give yourself lots of grace. Praying you truly feel the comfort and presence of the Holy Spirit today!
I too was thinking about you and praying for you this morning. I am all too familiar with grief and the aftermath of caring for someone for so long. I pray that God will give you His peace. I would love to recommend a book that a friend from church gave me after he lost his wife. The name is The Light that Never Dies by William Hendricks. It was written by a guy who lost his wife.
Hugs and prayers for you Tami. Quietness is good, better than busyness and burnout for sure. But we can get lost too in the quietness especially with grief. Hold on to Jesus. Come on here daily to share your thoughts and reflections after each lesson with this community. Keep momentum going. May you consider self-care activities, like journaling to get anything buried in your mind out. You are strong! Wishing you a peaceful and happy day.
Tami, I’m praying for your peace and comfort during these quiet days of grief.
joining my sisters in prayer, Tami
Thank you all!! Such words of wisdom!
Amen
Praying for you Robin.
Father let me be Your servant. Help me to cast my cares, fear not and know You are with me. In Jesus name, Amen
I found it interesting that when Gabriel shared the news with her, she asked, “How can this be?” However, at the wedding feast, she didn’t question the “how.” Instead, she took it to Jesus and instructed the servants to do whatever he told them to do. Lord, help me to trust in you, bring my concerns to you, and follow your leading, even if I don’t fully understand how things will work out.
She had experienced 30 years of growth and trusting on God’s plan for her Son. May we do so as well.
As Tina reminded us, “at the end of the day (and at the beginning and in between), God is for sure in the mix.”
I am working to remind myself that God never says oops or yikes when something happens in my life, He is never surprised.
Psalm 139:16 NLT You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
.
Praying to remember this each and every day, and to remember to seek His guidance even in what seem to be straightforward situations.
.
KELLY (NEO) praying for young mama’s interview today, especially for wisdom in determining whether it’s a good fit, as you mentioned.
MICHELLE P – praising the Lord for the protection provided by this man’s quitting. Praying for new hire that will be a perfect fit.
PAM AUSTIN STANLEY – praying for a specific person’s salvation. May their heart and mind be open to Him.
TRICIA C – praying for your children and grandchildren
SHARON JERSEY GIRL – praying about your meeting
DONNA WOLCOTT – praying for Matt’s recovery
LINDAK ❤️
CEE GEE ❤️
WENDY B praying
Thank you Searching – the meeting has been put on hold as the mom has a very busy schedule this week and can’t get away.
❤
Praying for all
Praying along ❤️
Holy Spirit help me commit to be a servant of the Lord.
Romans 12:1 (NIV)
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing this stead verse.
Amen❤️
“In moments of uncertainty, when we’re told that something will likely turn our life upside down, we may try to cope with it by hanging on to whatever sense of control we think we have at that time. We try to keep a tight, white-knuckled grip on what we think we know to be best for us; those are easy reactions that offer a false sense of security. But Mary did the exact opposite—she let go. And with open hands she gave herself to God’s plan.”
.
Thank you, Ellen Taylor.
.
Praying to face the day with open hands,ready to receive what God has for me.
.
Prayer requests: My young mama has a job interview today. Praying she has wisdom and it will be obvious if it will be a good fit.
.
SEARCHING – praying for wisdom for the rehab facility search.
.
KAREN ELIZABETH – so sad to hear about Kailand. Prayers for all of you as you grieve his passing.
.
MICHELLE P – thanks for the update on your work situation. Praying you snd yourr other coworkers will be able to enjoy the change in the atmosphere.
.
DONNA WOLCOTT – praying for Matt’s complete recovery
Praying for young Mama…for discernment and calm as she has the interview…and any steps that follow, according to His will.
Praying for your young mama! God’s will be done! ❤️
❤ praying for a “beyond the shadow of a doubt” job fit! ❤
Praying for all
Praying for young mama ❤️
Praying for young mama
❤️
Mary’s response to the angel is simple and powerful: “I am the Lord’s servant…May it happen to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38). Before Jesus was even born, His mother was committed to being a servant of the Lord. Even though her life was being turned upside down, her own plans disrupted, and her future with Joseph was unsure, one thing remained true: She was a servant of the Lord. And because she trusted in the Lord, she knew that His plans for her life were better than the ones she had herself.
.
Oh, to have a mind and heart so resolute.. when ones life is turned upside down..
.
Oftentimes in this life though, the turning of one’s life, is a negative, and not announced by an angel, but in Mary’s case, though it was a shock, hers was good news in that 1) she was visited by an angel of God, 2) with words of calm.. “Do not be afaid.” “You are highly favoured.” “The LORD is with you.” And the news of Jesus’ the Messiah, the Son of Gods birth.
It is not so easy to say.. ” I am the LORDS servant.. May it happen to me as you have said” when your upside down news is 1) give by a normal human being, with no words of calm or promise of God’s presence in it. 2)It really is life changing..
I am not trying to put spanners in any works..I promise, just stuff going on in my head..
.
BUT GOD..
.
And here is the thing, reliance, faith, belief, trust in God, will make the difference to the life changing news, and at some point soon after the rant and rave, toys out of the pram, we breathe and say, Lord, I give it all to you, and might even muster Mary’s words..”I am the LORDS servant, may it happen to me as you (the angel) have said”
.
God wants the best for us, since time immemorial, He, I am certain would never send an angel to give us ‘bad news’ but he would send an angel to walk alongside, or watch over us in the situation.
It’s all in how much we trust Him. How much we believe. How much faith we have in Him..
Today, i am re-aligning my position, mindset and thought to see Gods goodness in all situations, whether given by an angel or human.. at the end of the day, God is for sure in the mix..
.
Amen..
.
.
Happy Wednesday, covered in much love and prayers..❤️
Amen!…Have a blessed Wednesday Tina!❤️
❤
❤️