Mary

As Christmas approaches, it is appropriated that our thoughts should turn to the events that brought our Savior into this world, and to reflect on the people who made huge sacrifices in order for that to happen. One in particular that often gets over shadowed is Mary.

Mary was a young virgin girl engaged to a very nice guy name Joseph. All in all, her life seemed to be going about right.

Of all of the billions and billions of women who were ever born, for God to choose her tells me a few things about her.

• Mary believed God. She simply trusted what He said. She looked for the Messiah to come with an expectation rather than doubt. Without faith, the Bible says, it is impossible to please God.
• Mary was real. Her life was not for show, but was an honest expression of her faith. She did not play church, or pretend to be what she was not.
• Mary's faith lead her to live a righteous life. While none of us are perfect, and all of us fail, I believe that Mary tried to live up to the light that was revealed to her.
• She was willing to sacrifice everything to do what God willed. In her day, single motherhood was not accepted. As a matter of fact, it could carry the death sentence
• She worshiped God.

She yielded herself to God, and God put a life inside of her. This immediately caused her problems. She was no longer considered a 'good girl' but rather a tramp who had gotten pregnant. Her future husband dumped her, she had to live with people whispering behind her back accusing her of doing things she's never done. Nobody would believe her if she told them the truth.

Think about what she felt like. Think about how unfair it was. For the rest of her life, her reputation was besmirched. She had done nothing wrong. Her parents, her friends, her family all 'knowing' what she must have done, because that's the only way a girl gets pregnant.

I was thinking that in a way, all Christians should embrace our shame. The world looks down upon us for our faith.

• The scientists says were stupid and ignore facts, without regard to our learning or knowledge.
• The humanists says we are cruel narrow people to call some behaviors sin, regardless of the kindness and gentleness we may possess.
• The homosexual calls us bigots and homophobes (which, by itself is a misnomer. I am not afraid of homosexuality. I think it is a sin and entraps those who get caught up in it), regardless of how broadly we see life.
• The modern religious man calls us hateful and exclusive because we believe there is only one name under heaven by which a man can be saved, when we are reaching out to all peoples of the Earth saying "There is a Savior who saves from sin".

I will accept the shame of the Cross like my Savior did. People can think what they will. I'll take Mary as my example.