Her Story is always His Story: An Advent Series--Part One: Blessed is She that Believed

This is part one of Her Story is always His Story. A four-part Bible study look into Mary, mother of Jesus' life. This series is more of a Bible study than a devotional reading and I hope you will read along in your Bible. Take notes. Pray. Ask questions. And as we read and study together over the next few weeks, let us pray God will be glorified first and foremost, and our time in this study will prepare our hearts more deeply for the coming of our greatest gift, Jesus.

And there is a a note of special thanks and a free hand-out for you! Over the past year, graphic designer Jordan Cheek, owner of High Meadows Marketing has created some beautiful Bible Study Note sheets for my church's Women's Bible study group. Attached below is the PDF worksheet on the study of Mary. It can be downloaded and printed for note-taking.

Every story we read about Mary in God's Holy Word--every story includes Jesus. He was always a part of her story. In her heart. In Her womb. In His birth. His childhood--His adulthood--His Holy Work. His death. His resurrection. She was there and her story can’t be told without His story. And isn’t that the way our stories should be written too?

Here we are–December. And we turn the corner in a few short days–it will be Christmas Day.

Advent is a time of waiting. A time of preparation. A time to reflect–pray–be still. A time to celebrate and a time to be watchful.

The first mention of Mary was in the Old Testament in the book of Isaiah and although the prophet Isaiah didn't call her by name--she was there--in prophecy. A virgin.

Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

And a few chapters over in the book of Isaiah we read more about this Child. This Son. This Immanuel.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah, chapter 9, verses 6-7)

The majority of Mary’s story is shared in the book of Luke. Luke begins, It seem good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, (Luke 1:3).

Luke, one of Jesus’ disciples, was not present during this time in the story when Mary was visited by the angel--when she gave birth. So how is it, he writes the story with such imagery and emotion. I believe he spent a lot of time with Mary and Jesus and he learned every detail of their story through their quiet times of serving together. And with God's holy anointing--Luke's writing is shared in the New Testament, in the book that bears his name.

Luke begins with the story of Zacharias and Elisabeth and we will come back to their story and the significance of their story being written along side the birth of Jesus.

Bible reading: Luke 1:26-56

The setting was in the city of Galilee, Nazareth. It was in the sixth month and God sent His angel Gabriel. Something to remember: This was not in June. Our calendar is different than the Jewish calendar.

We learn angel Gabriel visits a virgin. And verse 27 introduces us to Jesus' earthly father.

• The virgin was engaged to marry a man named Joseph of the house of David

• And the virgin's name was Mary.

Other things we learn about Mary from Gabriel's visit--God's words to Mary. (verse 28)

Mary was...

• Highly favoured

• The Lord was with her

• And she was blessed among women

Where was Mary when angel Gabriel appeared to her? In the field working? In her home? The Bible doesn't tell us. But I think it is interesting that Mary was not afraid of his appearance or his visit. It was his message she feared. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. (verse 29)

Gabriel continues to speak to Mary easing her fears--reassuring her of God's love and plan for her life. And he tells her once again--you have found favour with God. (verse 30)

Webster's states the meaning of the word, favor--favorite is "a person who is specially loved, trusted"

Loved. Trusted.

And Gabriel, he begins to explain about the coming child--The Messiah. (verse 31-33, 35).

• You will conceive in your womb

• Your child will be a boy

• And His name will be called Jesus

• He shall be great

• He shall be called the Son of the Highest

• He shall be given the throne of his father David

• He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever

• His kingdom will have no end.

• He will be called the Son of God.

Then Mary, she speaks and she has one question--that's it. One question, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? (verse 34)

She never doubted the miracle would happen. She just wanted to know how.

And I love how angel Gabriel shared with Mary the story of another miracle--another woman--her cousin Elisabeth who was barren and way past her child-bearing years--she's pregnant too Mary. Maybe this was another way for God to calm her fears and offer her a friend--another woman she could talk with--relate to--in awe and worship. (verse 36)

And Gabriel added, For with God nothing shall be impossible. (verse 37). Jesus repeated these words, written in red in the book of Matthew, chapter 19:26. With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

The last words Mary said to the angel before he departed were of complete trust. Faith and Surrender. Complete surrender to the calling of God on her life--no matter the cost. Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. (verse 38)

Mary's parents are never mentioned in the scriptures. We assume her father and mother were living at this time. She had to tell them. She had to tell Joseph. Looking further in the chapter when Mary visits Elisabeth, Mary's prayer--her song (verses 46-56) has been compared to Hannah's song in the Old Testament. Some Bible scholars call it prophetic. Mary, she was young but she knew God and His power. His goodness. His promise. Knowing this we have to believe she was brought up in a God-fearing home where scriptures were read and worship and prayer were a daily part of her life. Did they listen when she told them of angel Gabriel's visit? Did they believe her? Did she open the scrolls and show her parents--Joseph, did she remind them where it was written in the book of Isaiah? Did she say--it's right here in God's word--a virgin shall conceive. Humbly, did she say, God has found favor with me. I can't explain it or even begin to try, but I'm that virgin.

And I want to say this--it is important. It's not for me or anyone to add or take away anything from the scriptures. God states this in His Holy Word. But in my heart I believe God does honor our thinking deeper though and learning as much as we can--studying more about how life and culture was like during biblical times. To grow in knowledge and wonder about the rest of the story--the stories. Not linger or dwell, but wonder--imagine. Because, there was more.

This is one of my most favorite verses in the Bible--the last verse of the book of John, And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. (chapter 21: 25)

Heaven holds the untold stories.

Mary went in haste to see her cousin Elisabeth and as soon as Elisabeth heard Mary's voice--her baby in her womb leaped for joy. Her baby--John the Baptist.

And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. (verses 41-45)

And Mary, this young girl soon to the mother of Jesus, said, My soul doth magnifiy the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. (verses 16-17)

To print: Click on the download below.

mary.pdf

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A heartfelt and humble thank you for reading and studying along with this Advent series, Her Story is Always His Story. The next study will be shared on the second Sunday of December. If you would like to have the Advent series come to your email box, please subscribe to

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