
Mary, the Mother of Jesus
Luke 1: 26 – 38
During the children’s time in our service on Sunday our wonderful children’s leader asked the kids, “Who is the first lady?”. There was a moment of quiet consideration and then one little guy spoke up, “ Mary!”. We all had a good chuckle. That wasn’t exactly the answer that the leader was looking for but it was a good true answer. When you think about it Mary is a First Lady of great importance.
I love the story about Mary as told in the gospel of Luke. Historians tell us that Mary was probably in her early teens. What a great example this young girl sets for all of us.
I like to imagine what it must have been like to have an angel suddenly show up and say, "Greetings, you who are highly favored. The Lord is with you." And this wasn’t just any angel. This was Gabriel who stands in the very presence of God! (vs. 19) Luke says that Mary was, “greatly troubled” at his greeting. (Well, I would think so!)
Perhaps the words, greatly troubled, were an understatement, because then Gabriel tells her not to be afraid. Don’t be afraid of the angel and don’t be afraid of the amazing message that he brings. Basically the angel tells her, You’re the one. You are going to be the mother of the Messiah. Your baby is going to fulfill all of the prophecies that you have heard about all of your life.
I’m thinking that Mary must have been a practical thinking young woman because she asks the obvious question - How?. The angel doesn’t seem angry by this question like he did in 1:19 when Zachariah asked him, "How can I be sure of this?", instead Gabriel patiently explains this fantastic thing that is about to happen to Mary and ends with this awe-inspiring statement of great truth – "For nothing is impossible with God."
Mary answers, "I am the Lord’s servant,... May it be to me as you have said."
At that moment, not knowing what was ahead only knowing that God was in charge, Mary offered herself as a living sacrifice.
What a stunning example of faith for us to follow.
Read this story straight from the Bible. No amount of embellishment could change the power of these simple words.
Activity:
This is a great story to do with puppets. If you don't have puppets on hand check out Kaboose.com for puppet making ideas.
You will need:
- A girl puppet, an angel puppet and a person to play the narrator.
- A script: Use the scripture for your script. Mary can read her lines and the Angel can read his lines with the Narrator reading the rest of the lines.
- A puppet stage: Just about anything that the kids can get behind can be a puppet stage. Try using a large box, a table turned on it's side, the back of a couch, a sheet stretched between two chairs.
Verse: For nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1: 37
Activity:
Sing this verse to the tune of "Jingle Bells"
For nothing is impossible, impossible with God.
For nothing is impossible, impossible with Go-od.
For nothing is impossible, impossible with God.
Luke chapter one verse thirty - seven.
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Scripture from the New International Version, Zondervan Bible Publishers








