Luke 1 — Mary

30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High…” 38 And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

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Mary’s Sacrificial Obedience

As we enter this season of Advent, a time of waiting and preparation for the coming of Christ, we are invited to reflect on the role of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her sacrificial obedience to God’s will. Mary’s response to the angel’s message stands as one of the most powerful examples of faith and surrender in all of Scripture.

When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary with an unimaginable announcement Mary was likely
overwhelmed. She was a young, unmarried woman living in a time and place where such news would have been met with scandal, rejection and immerse personal cost. Yet, despite the many uncertainties and challenges that lay ahead, Mary’s response was one of quiet, yet courageous surrender.

This simple yet profound declaration reveals Mary’s sacrificial obedience. She was not asked to step into a glamorous or easy role, but rather one that would cost her emotionally, socially, and personally. The “yes” she gave to God wasn’t a comfortable or easy choice. It meant embracing God’s plan at great personal risk. It meant walking a difficult path of uncertainty and, eventually, suffering. Her “yes” was not about personal obedience; it was about her willingness to participate in God’s great redemptive plan for the world.

This Advent, as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ, we are invited to reflect on Mary’s sacrificial obedience. Just as Mary was called to participate in God’s plan, we are also called to surrender our lives in obedience to God’s will. The Advent season is a time to reflect on what it means to wait for God, to trust in his promises, and to obey His leading even when it is difficult.

Like Mary, we are invited to say, “Let it be to me according to your word.” This may mean saying “yes” to God’s will in areas of our lives that are uncomfortable, challenging, or uncertain. It may require us to let go of our plans, dreams, and comforts in order to embrace God’s greater purposes. Just as Mary’s “yes” led to the birth of the Savior, our obedience can bear fruit in ways we cannot even imagine.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for the example of Mary’s obedience. Help us to trust in Your plan, even when we do not fully understand it. Give us the courage to say “yes” to Your will, no matter the cost, and the humility to serve You faithfully. During this Advent season, may our hearts be open to Your leading, and may we be willing to participate in the great work You are doing in the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

– Mrs. Cynthia Willets