The First of Advent - Mary's Faithful Life

The First of Advent - Mary's Faithful Life

Today is the first of Advent when we begin celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.  Last week we learned the basics about Advent and about having a family worship time (click HERE to view).  Now we are going to study "Mary's Faithful Life".

When we read the Scripture listed above we learn that Mary found out about her pregnancy from angel Gabriel.  I often wonder if Mary doubted what had happened to her at first (obviously when she felt and saw the physical signs of pregnancy she would no longer be able to doubt) but I just wonder if she kept saying to herself "was that just an unusual dream?" No, it was not that way with Mary - even at the end of this passage Luke shows us that Mary immediately believed and trusted God "I am the Lord's servant."
I also think it is very interesting that the angel Gabriel gave Mary extra proof that this miracle was real by telling her about Elizabeth being six months pregnant.

Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.   When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom.   After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.  Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.  When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.  Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.  When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”   “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”  But they did not understand what he was saying to them.  Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them.  But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.   And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
Luke 2:41-52

Mary's faithful life continued when she gave birth to Jesus and as she raised Jesus.  Even Mary lost track of her Son Jesus when they were on "vacation"!  The family forgot and left Jesus in Jerusalem alone at the age of 12 (unknowingly of course).  Mary must have been frantic and when they figured out their mistake they returned to Jerusalem to retrieve Jesus but they were surprised when they found Him in the temple.  They were all amazed at Jesus' knowledge, especially for a boy of 12 years.  Mary knew deep down that even this situation was being controlled by God.  In the verses above it states: "But his mother treasured all these things in her heart."  



Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
John 19:25-27

Mary's faith continued through Jesus' entire life - even at the cross.  In the verses above you will see that from the cross Jesus made sure that Mary would be cared for when He was gone (after He rose again and ascended to Heaven).  Mary had seen so many miracles throughout Jesus' life that I'm sure she didn't doubt that God would take care of her when she became frail and elderly. 
Jesus is the Perfect Son, including to His earthly mother. 

Please enjoy the song below:
"Mary, Did You Know?"

A special thanks to "PTXofficial" for sharing this with us on YouTube

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