The Gospel of Luke portrays Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah of the Jews and also as the Savior of all mankind. Special emphasis is placed upon the kindness of Jesus toward women, the poor, the outcasts, the weak, and those who were suffering in different ways. In addition, the book is filled with expressions of praise and prayer. Luke's account had an early universal appeal, especially to the Gentiles. Jesus is presented as the perfect Man who is truly interested in every person on earth, no matter what his or her station in life.
Our devotional text says,
And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers." (Luke 1:46-55 NIV)
When we think about the significant women characters portrayed in Sacred Scripture, two stand out above all the others - Eve, the first created woman, who shared in the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden, and Mary, the "bearer of Christ", who received and conceived the Son of God as the embodiment of Divine Grace toward us. Where the disobedience of Eve brought despair upon humankind, Mary's faith and obedience brought forth the hope that would be the salvation of all who would believe in Him.
Those who recognize their own inherited fallen nature begin to realize their need of Christ and discover a deeply seated desire to know the righteousness and life that is found in him. The whole of Sacred Scripture, and the whole of life itself, are such that we are led toward an understanding of our need for forgiveness, redemption, and grace. In our journey of discovery we find that He does fill us with good things, with the best things. He does have our best interest in mind and we are more than satisfied with the blessings he gives us.
May God help us to see ourselves as candidates for redemption and recipients of Divine Grace. As the world around us is enthralled by tinseled artificiality, may the celebration of the birth of Christ remain focally central in our perception of this event that we call Christmas. Amen. |
