Walking in the Valley A bi-weekly column, featuring one Silicon Valley Christian's (a)musings on life's journey by Barbara Dahlgren

Mary The Mother of Jesus Column for the weeks of May 1-15, 2009

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Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “People are what their mothers make them.” If that is true, perhaps we should look closely at the mother of our Savior, Jesus Christ. After all, the Bible says Mary was the most blessed of all women (Luke 1:28, 42).

When Mary was a young girl in her teens her father followed the custom of the time and arranged her betrothal to a carpenter named Joseph. Engagement periods usually lasted about a year, so Mary and Joseph made their preparations. Jewish law interpreted a betrothal just as binding as marriage. If Joseph died, Mary would be called his widow and vice versa. If they separated, it was considered a divorce. It was not something entered into lightly.

It was probably a little overwhelming for a young girl. Her body was changing and she more than likely had a mixture of anticipation and anxiety about marriage. Engagements lasted about a year. Typically this time would have been spent with Mary and Joseph getting to know each other better. In addition, she would be making clothes and sewing household linens while Joseph would be building their home and furniture.

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Mary announcing she would give birth to the Messiah, her emotions probably ran the gambit – fear, shock, excitement, apprehension. She felt unworthy, but the angel assured her she had found favor with God (Luke 1:30). She questioned how she could have a child because she was a virgin. The angel comforted her with, “Fear not (Luke 1:30)!” “With God nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37).” She trusted God and said, “be it unto me according to thy word (Luke 1:38).” When she visited her Aunt Elizabeth who was also pregnant she felt the baby kick. She was filled with joy and praised God (Luke 1:43-55).

Although she was joyous, it was not easy. She went through a lot to bring Jesus into the world. She had to cope with what others thought about her being pregnant before she was actually married. There was probably a certain amount of scandal or stigma to deal with. The birth itself was less than perfect by human standards and definitely not the kind of birth every woman dreams of. Joseph and Mary were traveling and couldn’t find a proper place to stay so Christ was born in a stable (Luke 2:8). And then they had to flee the wrath of King Herod (Matthew 2:11-14) and hide in a strange land.

When they returned home we saw Mary as a loving and protective mother. As Jesus transitioned from being just her son into going “about his Father’s business” of ministry, Mary had to let him go. Her motherly instincts wanted to protect him from hurt or harm yet she pondered things in her heart (Luke 2:51) as she released him to his ministry. She relinquished control, but she was with him every step of the way. She was with him when he performed his first miracle (John 2:1-11). She was with him at the foot of the cross. Perhaps only a mother knows how she suffered when she saw her son reviled, crucified, and hanging dead on a cross (John 19:25-27). After Jesus’ death and resurrection, Mary met continually with his disciples for prayer (Acts 1:14).

Jesus was a special gift from God. Mothers who understand the miracle of childbirth realize all children are a gift from God and that rearing them is the most important thing they will ever do. That’s why many may feel ill equipped for the parenting tasks they face. Mary’s example can encourage us.

Are you fearful? Mary was. Do you lack a high school or college education? Mary did. Do you feel you are too young to be a mother, but still you have a child? Mary was young and inexperienced in the ways of the world. Are you a single mother? At times, Mary might have been. Tradition indicates Joseph died since there is no mention of him after the incident at the temple when Jesus was a youth. Are you from a working class family? Mary was of humble origins and considered a handmaiden or servant. Are you of modest means? Mary was far from wealthy. Hers was a working class family. Do you realize the birth of a child is a miracle? Mary did and she praised God for it. Are you concerned about your child? Mary was visibly upset when her son was missing, even though she found him at the temple. Do you feel inadequate? Mary did, but she trusted God.

Jesus was God’s own son. God must have given careful thought to choosing just the right mother for him knowing that mothers have a great deal of influence over their children. As Emerson said: “People are what their mothers make them.” God could have chosen a twenty-five old, rich, educated, beauty queen, but he didn’t. He chose Mary, a woman who didn’t claim to know all the answers, but knew how to trust in the one who did – God.

Be sure to visit this page often to read the next edition of Walking in the Valley. You can write to the author at bdahlgren@wcgsouthbay.org.