A baby changes everything is a pretty accurate statement. Our first son was born on December 19th, just a few days before Christmas. We were elated to be parents. However, some changes were going to happen. There would be very little uninterrupted sleep, at least for a few weeks. Everything now had a pause button in order to meet the needs of this little person. Conversations now revolved around this little baby. Restaurants, TV programs, schedules, friends, and even what, when, and where we ate changed. It even changed our relationship with Christ. We saw a greater need to live closer to Him, for wisdom, strength, and power to live a life of example.
I can only imagine the change that took place in Mary’s life as she prepared and brought the Son of God into this world. I’m sure every day from the day the angel first visited her, there were changes. Some of her changes were like any other mother, but many were changes no other mother would experience.
First, she didn’t find out about her pregnancy from a doctor or the physical changes in her body. She was given the news by an angel, not just any messenger, but one sent by God, with words from God. What a change! No physical relationship with a man, but with a word from God she became a mom.
Luke 1:26-30 “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.”
Second, most of us who are parents, spend months picking out a name for our children. Mary had no choice in this matter. The angel told her His name would be Jesus. In my time of childbearing, you also didn’t know if you were having a boy or a girl, until the birth of the child. Now that has changed, and in a few months from conception, you can know the sex of your child. Mary was told this child would be a son before conception!
Luke 1:31 “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Third, this baby changed where they would live. Jesus was born in Bethlehem as prophesied in the Old Testament. His parents lived in Nazareth before His birth but traveled to Bethlehem to pay their taxes. At some time before Jesus’ second birthday, the angel warned Joseph in a dream that the baby was in danger. Joseph took Mary and Jesus and fled to Egypt.
Micah 5:2 “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.“
Luke 1:26-27 “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.“
Matthew 2:13 “And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”
Fourth, Mary had a son that was perfect! He never disobeyed. I can’t imagine that kind of child, and neither would she again. She had other children, but none like Jesus. A perfect child would change the dynamics of the entire family. This perfect child would amaze them throughout His life. He would be found as a child teaching those of age and wisdom in the temple. He was always seeking to obey and please His heavenly father also.
Luke 2:46 “And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.”
As this child grew, Mary must have cherished every moment. She knew this son was not like her other sons. He was sent to be the Messiah. Nowhere do we find proof in the Bible that she realized that this baby would one day die on a cross as a sacrifice for the sins of man, but we do have an account in Luke 1:46-48 that her son would affect all generations to come. We do know that she was at the cross when he was crucified. Her life was changed forevermore, and it all begins with the announcement by an angel, that she would bear the Messiah of the world.
Luk 1:46-48 “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.”
This baby changed the lives of Mary and Joseph greatly. However, this baby changed my life forever too. God’s Son, Jesus, the Messiah, changed the lives of all who believe, forever! He tore the veil that separated us from God the Father. He brought hope, love, and joy. This Baby changed everything!
