Christmastime Reflection on Mary in relation to her Savior

[Paul G. Humber]

Some years ago, I wrote a devotional reflecting on Mary in relation to her Savior. The passage is from Luke 1:46f—“And Mary said, ‘My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.'”

Jesus’ mother rejoiced, but she would also grieve. She saw her special Son humiliated and nailed to a cross (John 19:25–27), but Jesus did not come down then and there and stand beside her. Why not? He had power to do so!

Instead, He chose to meet the far greater need of His mother. Mary needed more than restoration to emotional tranquility. Jesus did indeed meet this minor need, also, by assigning John to her, but the Lord was doing something for Mary vastly more profound.

He remained on the cross to save His mother from her sins. He wanted her and other sinners with Him in heaven forever (John 17:24), and He was and is the only Savior possible. Mary herself confessed a need for a Savior. As our text says, she, believing in Jesus, trusted in “God [her] Savior.”

It was also essential that the Lord stay on the cross for all saints who had gone on before. Old Testament believers were dependent on that once-for-all-time sacrifice of the Lord, too. They had been saved provisionally—trusting in the coming Messiah, but all the sacrificial animals combined could not save even one of them. Such sacrifices were efficacious only in that they pointed to the completely sufficient sacrifice of Mary’s sinless Son on the cross. The Old Testament had promised that the Lord would provide (cf. Genesis 22:8) a Lamb who would take away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

It was essential, also, that the Lord stay on the cross for New Testament and modern-day saints. All of faith enter heaven only because Mary’s Son, Savior Jesus, suffered death on a cross. Jesus was the just judge dying in the place of sullen sinners. Mary’s tears indeed, like those of Nain’s widow, have become full of joy. She’s now in heaven with her Son and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

(It may be found at Mary's Savior!)

[fishcatch]

You are aware I hope, that all winter solstice celebrations, including this Christmas that you people keep trying to uphold, are based on ancient pagan traditions and beliefs. You know that, right?

Just making sure.

Happy Solstice.

[Bob_Head]

(It may be found at Mary's Savior!)

I find it interesting this article is fit for publication by the Institute for Creation Research. How, in any way, is it related to Creation research? How can they expect to be taken seriously when the put crap like that under their masthead?

[Mr Morley]

How do we know for certain that Mary was actually impregnated by the Holy Ghost and wasn't just lying about sleeping around?

If this whole thing had gone down in Kensington in the current era, Mary and Joseph would have ended up on Morey doing a DNA test.

[Bob_Head]

If this whole thing had gone down in Kensington in the current era, Mary and Joseph would have ended up on Morey doing a DNA test.

Jerry Springer would be better. I'd love to see Joseph hit Gabriel with a chair!

[OldMama]

That's MAURY, Mr. Maurley.

Not that I personally watch the show...

And Mary's impregnation by the Holy Spirit is a matter of faith. It can't be proved. Most people who believe it wouldn't try. It's just one of the many aspects of faith that they believe without actual proof. Doesn't always work for me, but I know many fine, intelligent people who believe but don't feel the need to post Bible verse after Bible verse to convince others. Shoot, even the nuns taught me that we cannot prove matters of faith. Darn Catholics.

[OldCityTans]

I always wonder about Jesus' last words, my God my God, why have you forsaken me? Those don't really sound like the words of someone who knew what he was doing was for the greater good, and was ok with it. They sound like the words of someone in great agony and personal/ mental termoil.

Also Mary, his mother, crying at the cross. why didn't she know it was for the saving of all humanity, and rejoice? Why did she go to the tomb intending to annoint the dead body? It doesn't make much sense that she wasn't in on that part of the story...

[Bob_Head]

And Mary's impregnation by the Holy Spirit is a matter of faith. It can't be proved. Most people who believe it wouldn't try. It's just one of the many aspects of faith that they believe without actual proof. Doesn't always work for me, but I know many fine, intelligent people who believe but don't feel the need to post Bible verse after Bible verse to convince others. Shoot, even the nuns taught me that we cannot prove matters of faith. Darn Catholics.

Faith is a wonderful thing. I suspect those who feel the need to constantly try to convince others, and to prove the unprovable, are people of doubt. Driven by the fear of their own mortality, they need to constantly prove that every word, every act and every promise of the Bible is literally true. If not, that "Get Out of Death Free" card they have might not be worth the cardboard it's printed on. They're not doing it to convince others, they're doing it to reassure themselves.

[OldMama]

Amen to that, Bob. Exactly my feelings.

[OldCityTans]

Faith is a wonderful thing. I suspect those who feel the need to constantly try to convince others, and to prove the unprovable, are people of doubt. Driven by the fear of their own mortality, they need to constantly prove that every word, every act and every promise of the Bible is literally true. If not, that "Get Out of Death Free" card they have might not be worth the cardboard it's printed on. They're not doing it to convince others, they're doing it to reassure themselves.

People passions are almost always motivated by the desire to develop traits they feel they lack.

[Seanibus]

People passions are almost always motivated by the desire to develop traits they feel they lack.

What accounts for my insatiable, obsessive, even pedantic passion for beer, then? God knows beer itself is not a thing I lack in my life.

[Litter Box]

Faith is a wonderful thing. I suspect those who feel the need to constantly try to convince others, and to prove the unprovable, are people of doubt. Driven by the fear of their own mortality, they need to constantly prove that every word, every act and every promise of the Bible is literally true. If not, that "Get Out of Death Free" card they have might not be worth the cardboard it's printed on. They're not doing it to convince others, they're doing it to reassure themselves.

Don't forget that religion is also a business, no believers, no collection basket, get a real job.

[Bob_Head]

What accounts for my insatiable, obsessive, even pedantic passion for beer, then? God knows beer itself is not a thing I lack in my life.

Beer is such a fleeting thing. You may not lack it now, but soon you will. And, while Ben Franklin never did say, “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy,” he did say "Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards, there it enters the roots of the vines, to be changed into wine, a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy." Whether it be beer or wine, be filled with it, and know G_d loves you.

[OldMama]

Genuine faith and organized religion do not necessarily go hand in hand. Going to church or belonging to an organized religions does not guarantee a strong faith. On the other hand, some people of strong faith belong to no organized religion. There are, of course, many people of faith who do belong to a specific religious group. I would imagine they see more to their church than a collection basket. And I would hope that their church sees more to them than a check.

[OldCityTans]

What accounts for my insatiable, obsessive, even pedantic passion for beer, then? God knows beer itself is not a thing I lack in my life.

Beer numbs you, keeps you from thinking thoughts. You're a deep thinker, so your passion for beer is driven by the desire to turn off the brain.

[CHIOSSO]

How do we know for certain that Mary was actually impregnated by the Holy Ghost and wasn't just lying about sleeping around?

If this whole thing had gone down in Kensington in the current era, Mary and Joseph would have ended up on Morey doing a DNA test.

I understand that you don't like Humber,but why attack the mother of Christ?
Try some tolerance.

[Bob_Head]

Don't forget that religion is also a business, no believers, no collection basket, get a real job.

Sorry, but even I can't be that cynical. I've had a couple friends who have left established careers and big paychecks for the ministry. For them it's a lot more work for a lot less money. Sure, there are some charlatans in organized religion, but there are just as many doing good work.

[OldCityTans]

I understand that you don't like Humber,but why attack the mother of Christ.
Try some tolerance.

So funny.

A claim of irrational event is presented and it is unclear if the claim is true or false.

The believer says the claim is without a doubt true, and the cause of the event is supernatural.

The skeptic says the claim might or might not be true, but even if it is, there is no reason to assume the cause of the event is supernatural, and all other causes should also be examined before a verdict is reached.

The believer says the skeptic has a closed mind.

There's some logic for ya!

[CHIOSSO]

I don't ask you to believe or not to believe, all i ask is that you tolerate others.

[OldCityTans]

Is the unexamined life worth living?

With all due respect Chiosso, & I do respect you, its foolish to tolerate irrational ideas with no hint of skepticism.