Words of encouragement for all moms.  Moms who have children who don’t always fit in.  Children who may be different, maybe because they are intellectually gifted, or delayed, may struggle with a physical handicap or speech impediment, those who struggle with social relationships, or are non-compliant. Moms who worry about their child’s future.

The Christmas season can be a challenge for all moms, but an extra one for those whose children are experiencing special needs and for those who are trying to raise children alone. But these particular moms can find fresh hope and new, lasting strength in the account of Gabriel’s opening conversation with Mary in Luke 1:26ff.

26 When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the messenger Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, 27 to a virgin who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 When the messenger came to her, he said, “Rejoice, high-favored one! The Lord is with you!”

29 She was confused by these words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 The messenger said, “Stop being afraid, Mary. God is honoring you. 31 Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most-High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. 33 He will rule over Jacob’s house forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom.” Luke 1:26-28

Due to sovereign grace, Mary learned that she would become a mom to a special child, the son of the Most-High God. Mary would face undue scrutiny as an unwed mom, would have the challenge of listening to and responding to the words of a 12-year-old boy who made grandiose claims about himself, even presumptuous statements to her. As a young man, he would cause havoc in the Jerusalem Temple, label the religious leaders of the day as hypocrites, be rejected by his own people, be arrested on false charges, tried in court illegally, and be executed as a common criminal by the governing authorities, along-side two terrorists. Jesus is more than qualified as a child who would have “special needs”. 

Simeon got it right when he said to Mary: “A sword will pierce your own soul” (Luke 2:35). A sword. A weapon used in warfare.

God had sent the messenger Gabriel to Mary in Nazareth to announce that she would be the earthly mother of the Davidic Messiah, the Son of the Most-High God, the long-awaited King of Israel whose reign would never end.

Gabriel began his announcement to Mary with the words, “The Lord is with you.”

This greeting might sound somewhat typical or vanilla to our ears. But to those familiar with their Old Testament, this greeting puts directly Mary in line with some of the outstanding characters in Israel’s history. In fact, this phrase, “The Lord is with you” occurs over a hundred times in the Old Testament.

We find this phrase used with such notable figures as Jacob (Genesis 28:10-22), the warrior Gideon (Judges 6:11-16), Boaz (Ruth 2:4), warrior King David (2 Samuel 7:1-4), the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:5) and Haggai the prophet (Haggai 2:4). In each case, God is giving them a task to complete or withholding a job they really want. Either way, to finish the task or to stand down is more than difficult. The person assigned to the task will be required to persevere through stormy times, experience disappointment, endure numerous setbacks, and be the object of unjust suffering. They will be tempted to quit, throw in the towel, and say, “I didn’t sign up for this.”

Now back to Mary. The task of mothering Jesus the Son of the Most-High God would be overwhelming to say the least. What young mom would be up to that task? For Mary, raising Jesus as her firstborn would feel like climbing a high mountain without experience or adequate strength. But Gabriel’s phrase, “The Lord is with you” is a signal of fresh hope and an infusion of long-lasting confidence. The stories of earlier characters in the Old Testament who heard the same phrase from God’s messenger bear this out.

On Christmas Eve, with God’s help, I plan on unpacking this pivotal phrase, “The Lord is with you” as a way to encourage all moms.  Please join us.

Redeemer Bible Church,

meeting in the Chapel @ Keswick Christian School, 10105 54th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, 33772

Christmas Eve Service, 5:00 pm.

Saturday, 24 December 2022