The First Noel – Don’t Fear the Fearsome.
Stephen March demonstrates that the “First Noel” was a time of great courage for Mary as she chose not to fear the fearsome.
Bible Narratives and the First Noel
I have to admit, I’ve been on a kick lately when I read the narratives in the Bible. I try to imagine myself in the situation of the people I’m reading about. This can be quite difficult as there is so much about the various cultures and customs of Biblical times that no one really understands fully today. Still, though, I approach it with the understanding that the events of the bible were lived before they were written about and subsequently read. I try to disregard what I already know about the significance of each event, and just try to envision what it would have been like to be there, to have to figure out what was going on and why.
The Gospel Accounts of Jesus’ Birth
For Christmas, I have decided to take this approach with the gospel accounts concerning the birth of Christ. Today, I’m looking at Luke 1:26-38, when the angel Gabriel visits Mary to give that incredible news that she, a virgin, was to bear a child that would be the Son of God.
“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered 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. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”
Angels are Terrifying!
One thing that I have started to realize, and the Christmas story is certainly no exception, is that angels are terrifying. Here we have Gabriel coming to Mary, and having to calm her down, “Do not be afraid, Mary.” Now I can understand if this was an isolated event, here’s Mary, by all accounts a commoner, a young lady, and seemingly alone at this point in time, then this man or strange being shows up and starts talking to her. The truth is though, that Gabriel had to tell Zechariah earlier in the chapter not to be afraid when he appeared to him.
Shepherds Filled With Fear
Later on, we will read about the shepherds who, when they saw the angel, were filled with fear. This is actually a very common thing, In Daniel chapter 8, Daniel was frightened and fell on his face before Gabriel. Fortunately, we read in Daniel that Gabriel had the appearance of a man. I say fortunately because it could have been one of the angels Ezekiel saw with four faces and four wings and an appearance like coals of fire, which would be pure nightmare fuel to me. That said, it is possible that Gabriel is the same angel that’s described in Daniel 10 as a man with a face like lightning, eyes like flaming torches, and the sound of his words were like the sound of a multitude. If any of this was the case for Mary, then I can totally understand why she may have been troubled by Gabriel’s appearance and speech.
Yet there is a calmness in what Gabriel says, “O favored one, the Lord is with you, do not be afraid.” Of course, then he goes on to drop perhaps the biggest bombshell that could possibly be unleashed on a young, unmarried girl, “You’re about to be pregnant.”
Celebrating a Pregnancy
I remember when my wife first told me that she was pregnant with our first child. We had been hoping for that, and the feeling was still butterflies. The sheer joy of it was fully mixed with the absolute terror of suddenly realizing that we have a new lifelong commitment to raise this child, and care for it, regardless of its gender, abilities or disabilities, health and so on, and also understanding that we had no real experience to help us through. All these thoughts came upon us instantly and simultaneously, and there was very little time to process everything that was going through our heads. For my wife and I, the joy of the moment overrode the fear and we were able to celebrate the moment. Again though, we had been expecting and hoping for this. In Mary’s case, the announcement was decidedly unexpected, and at least from a human perspective, biologically impossible. Mary even had to ask Gabriel, “How can this be, for I am a virgin.”
Mary’s Emotions
I can’t even begin to imagine what Mary is trying to resolve emotionally at this point, all the emotion of discovering you are expecting a child, or at least in Mary’s case that she soon will be with child, and then the added pressure that not only is she carrying a child that isn’t her betrothed, but also before the time she should be pregnant. On top of that, and really of the most significance, all those feelings of whether or not she feels ready to raise a child, this isn’t just any child, but as Gabriel put it, he’s “the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end, so don’t mess this up!” Ok, Gabriel didn’t say that last part, but he may as well have in Mary’s eyes I’m sure. My first child was practically in bubble-wrap for the first year and a half of her life, and she was not announced to be the savior of the world, so for me this is what makes Mary’s response so profound.
I Am The Lord’s Servant
With all of these things, she simply responds “I am the Lord’s servant, let it be to me as you have said.” Complete trust, amidst the fear, anxiety, and uncertainty for the future, she is able to recognize that this is God’s will, so she’s on board with it. The Bible doesn’t tell us how long this conversation took, only a few minutes are needed to read through the entire conversation, so it’s quite possible that Mary didn’t have the opportunity to think rationally about everything that was happening, or consider what her options were. She just had to take everything that was said to her at face value, and respond almost on instinct. Perhaps it was that outlook of faithfulness she had that was the reason she was chosen by God for this monumental task. I don’t believe any of what was to come was easy for her, particularly not the next step, when she would have to break the news to Joseph. How was he going react to all this? We’ll look at that next time.
Do angels frighten you? Do you enjoy the carol “The First Noel?” We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
Stephen March
Stephen March is the President of FBH International and HopeStreamRadio. He graduated from the Broadcasting Program at Niagara College in 2001, and has previously worked in television production and post-production. Stephen lives in St. Catharines, Ontario, with his wife Corinne and their four children. He serves as an elder at Scottlea Gospel Chapel.
Read and hear more from Stephen Marchon his contributor’s page.
Stephen currently has 3 Programs on HopeStreamRadio:
More Podcasts Below:
More Blogs
Can We Be Holy? The Process of Sanctification
Was The Resurrection of Christ Real?
Images courtesy of:
The Annunciation- Murillo
Angel Appears to Shepherds – Thomas Cole
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