Virtual Nativity: Mary - Humility

Series: Virtual Nativity
Mary - Humility by John Burke, December 2, 2007

As we begin this series on the birth of Jesus, John focused on Mary. Often we don’t look at her as a real person… but let’s try to do that. What was it like for Mary to get such a big surprise? Clearly it must have come as a shock to Mary to hear that she would become pregnant and that God’s plan was that she be the mother of the long-awaited Messiah. Let’s take a look Mary and then how we deal with the unexpected in our own lives. In this discussion, you’ll be doing some switching back and forth between Mary’s life and your own. (There are more questions here than usual – but they all have the same theme and many will build on one experience in your life – so the discussion of later questions may not take as long as the early ones. It will be helpful to glance through the questions before you begin.)

1. Start with Mary. Try to put yourself in her sandals: an unmarried teen-ager in a Jewish town, engaged to a really nice guy. Now, as Mary, who are the different people you are going to have to deal with over this new development in your life? Your mother? Your father? Your extended family? Joseph? Your Rabbi? The lady next door? Pick one of these or others who as Mary, you might have to tell your news to. How are you going to tell them? What do you think will be their reaction? (If it would be helpful, read the passage in the Bible that gives some details about what happened to Mary in Luke 1 and 2.) (10 minutes)

2. Next, explore your own surprises. Think back at your life: Have you ever gotten some really big new that would genuinely change your life? Did it seem like a “good thing” or a “bad thing” at the time? What kinds of things went through your mind? What were your emotions? Share about this in the group as you are comfortable. (10 minutes)

3. In Mary’s case, things did not turn out the way she might have expected when Gabriel came with the news that her life would change. What were differences in what she might have expected and what actually happened? (5 minutes)

4. Now, looking back at your own event from Question 2, did things turn out differently than you expected at the time? If so, in what ways? Briefly share your “outcomes”. (10 minutes)

5. What things happened during this challenging part of Mary’s life (her pregnancy and the time around Jesus’ birth and infancy) that indicate that God was taking care of her?. (If you know more about Mary’s story, and time allows, go ahead and consider other ways that God “cared” for her during other troubled times in her life?) (5 – 10 minutes)

6. As you look back to the point that was a change in your life, can you see any signs that God was caring for you? In what ways? Again, share any thoughts/insights in the group. (10 – 15 minutes)

7. Close by looking at Mary’s reaction to big news, and your own. As John said in the message, Mary was amazingly open to what God had in mind for her. So often we don’t respond with such willingness. Take some time to reflect on this personally. Based on Mary’s experience and your own, how would you like to respond to the unexpected in your life? Is there anything in your life, right now – whether big or small, that you can view differently as you think about the way God cared for Mary and for you? Ask God to give you the perspective you want on this and any other current events in your life and think of a way to help keep that perspective. Share about this as time permits. (5 – 10 minutes)

Bible verses from this message:

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses…since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Luke 1:1-4

God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you…Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.” Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
Luke 1:26-38

“In the future [God] will honor Galilee…For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
Isaiah 9:1, 6-7

Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.” Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months.
Luke 1:46-56

Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him… He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited…the heir to David’s throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world.
Isaiah 11:1-4, 10

[Lord] I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”…Then he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”
Luke 2:31-35

See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up…his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness… He was despised and rejected by others, a man of suffering …he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 49:13-53:5

But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. Never again will there be in it infants who live but a few days.
Isaiah 65:18-20

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