FRANKLY SPEAKING,
“The angel said to her, ‘Rejoice, highly favored one,
THE LORD is with you; blessed are you among women!”
~ Luke 1:28b NKJV
REJOICE FAVORED ONE! Who was Mary? Why did GOD choose her? Why is she so special? How should we remember her? GOD said that she is “highly favored” and “blessed among woman.” How ought we approach this amazing woman who was chosen throughout all time to be the woman who would give birth to the SAVIOR of the whole world. Does this mean that she is to be revered as the “Mother of GOD?”
We must be very careful here. If we hold to the doctrine of THE TRINITY, and Mary is the Mother of JESUS ~ THE SON OF GOD ~ THE INCARNATE GOD-MAN, AND HE AND HIS FATHER ARE ONE ~ then, by definition, she is the “Mother of GOD.” She must be different than any other woman who ever lived. Right? After all, GOD chose her, a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), to carry the SON OF GOD in her womb and raise HIM through HIS childhood!
Can we take this too far? Should we pray to Mary according to this prayer?
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Should we pray to Mary, not according to Scripture. All too often, we react to what others believe. We are offended because people think differently than we do. Mary is the mother of JESUS; therefore, she is to be honored, respected, and appreciated. Nevertheless, Mary is not part of the TRINITY, nor is she GOD’S wife. This can quickly take us to a place that is far from the TRUTHS we find in THE WORD OF GOD. CHRISTMAS should always lead us to EASTER because JESUS is the reason for the season!
Remember, the focus of THE NATIVITY is that GOD sent HIS ONE and ONLY SON to save us from ourselves and sin. Every CHRISTMAS song and story should focus on and resoundingly proclaim that JESUS CHIRST IS BORN! 😊
Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS
Blessings in CHRIST
~ Pastor Wes
~ I Peter 3:15
PS ~ To here more about Mary, check out https://www.facebook.com/groups/532629427668025
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