We continued series “The Christmas Story” at Gateway Church in Austin.
This Christmas, we’re diving into the heart of the Christmas Story through four powerful messages that speak to the journey of faith, the challenges of waiting, and the hope that Jesus brings to all. Each week, we’ll explore different aspects of the Christmas narrative, discovering how the stories of those involved in the first Christmas still speak to our lives today. Whether you’re in a season of waiting, growing, seeking, or belonging, the Christmas story is for you. Let’s journey together and experience the wonder of His presence.
Even Mary, who was incredibly familiar with Jesus, had to grow in understanding who He truly was. This message challenges all of us—there is always more to learn about His nature, His mission, and what He’s calling us to. No matter how long we’ve known Him, there’s still room to grow.
Digging Deeper
Work through the following questions and scriptures on your own or get together with your group, spiritual running partners, or family to talk through what you are learning.
Discussion Questions
Video Message:
Audio Message:
Message Notes by John Burke:
As we head into the Christmas season, I find one of the most difficult things to overcome…is Familiarity. Imagine for a second, you’re me—or Carlos. I’ve spoken about the Christmas Story every Christmas—for 26 years! Do you know how hard it is to keep things fresh and interesting? It’s the SAME story every year. And try getting too creative, deviating too much—like the year we did a huge play off the Grinch who stole Christmas—oh, boy did I get emails about that one.
We all love a little nostalgia, a little tradition, even in a non-traditional church like Gateway—so people want to sing familiar Christmas songs and hear the familiar Christmas Story—but the danger is, you can hear a message like this, and because you may be familiar with the Christmas Story—spiritually, you tune out. Spiritually, you just “check the box” and coast through Christmas. Familiarity robs you of engaging with God at a deeper level in the Christmas season.
So today, we’re going to take a familiar story, and consider it from Mary’s perspective. And I want to ask you to think about how you can fight against Familiarity and instead press deep into spiritual growth—as Mary had to do constantly.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is actually an amazing woman. I want you to reflect on that today. Many of you came from a Catholic background, and in the Catholic tradition, they venerate Mary. And I think because protestants have not agreed with the extent that Catholics go to honor and venerate Mary—like praying to Mary or believing Mary was sinless or never had other children besides Jesus—these are things we would say “I just don’t see evidence of that in the Bible.” And we can disagree and debate with our Catholic brothers and sisters who do trust in Jesus, and yet not divide or hate each other—but affirm that if we all trust in Jesus, we are brothers and sisters in Christ. But I think because protestant Christians have historically reacted against those doctrines about Mary, we’ve swung the pendulum too far the other way. Mary should be honored and admired and learned from as much as Abraham, Moses, or the Apostle Paul. Truly—who else among humanity is like her? Ponder that as we consider her relationship with Jesus today to admire and learn from her—she should be admired, not worshipped, but highly esteemed and we can learn from her.
I believe Mary is highly esteemed and honored in Heaven today.
Coincidentally—or maybe not—this summer I met and interviewed two women who died physically, yet were resuscitated afterwards, and came back saying they both encountered Jesus, and in Heaven, both also reported seeing Mary. Neither of them was Catholic. Both said she is highly esteemed there.
One woman is Indian, grew up in Trinidad as a follower of Jesus–wild, tragic story. Debbie Ali was married with two little kids, living in Trinidad near Venezuala, when she was kidnapped and held for ransom for 2 weeks. They brutally assaulted her until finally, 10 days into it, her body gave out. And she said she left her body, but felt fully alive—feeling incredible relief and peace—could see her physical body chained to the bed, and she had no breath or heartbeat, so she knew she was dead. Then Jesus appears like a man, but brighter than the sun, yet she could look at him. And he picks her up in his arms and says direct into her mind, “Child, your suffering is over. There is no more pain, no more tears. You are tired and can rest now.” The next thing she knew, she was waking up in Jesus’ arms on a magnificent, gorgeous beach in Heaven. She goes on to describe the beauty of it saying, “there is no blue that is blue enough for the ocean I saw…There are no words or hues that can compare to the colour of the sand that Jesus walked on…it was as if everything I was familiar with in this world got a trillion times richer, more brilliant and more defined.” There’s much more, but right before Jesus sent her back, she saw Mary, the Mother of Jesus. She was standing on the beach, with other renowned heroes of faith, yet only Mary spoke to her. She said, “God always answers the prayers of a mother.” Debbie had told God she wanted to go back for her babies, and her mother was praying for her release. What’s even wilder, she led one of her captors to faith in Jesus—and he became the one that set her free.
Now, for those of you who have no clue what I’m talking about because you’re new to Gateway—I’ve studied close to 1,500 cases of Near Death Experience over the past 35+ years, and I wrote 2 books showing how these are testimonies of the reality of all the Bible has been saying for 1000s of years. And the main reason I asked Carlos to lead Gateway was so Kathy and I could focus on reaching the nations through writing and Podcasting and Youtube. And I want to ask for your help in reaching the nations—we are finally launching the Imagine Heaven Podcast where you’ll hear me interview Debbie Ali and others, and I’ll show how it relates to the Bible and answer the tough questions—like I thought there was no seas in Heaven—watch Episode 4. Go to ImagineHeaven.net for links, and please help us get the word out, and share it with those who don’t know Christ—especially the first few Episodes.
So today, we’re gonna learn from her life in Luke chapter 2 – Luke is the only Gospel writer who actually interviewed Mary, so most of her account is in Luke’s Gospel.
The first thing we learn from Mary is…
The Importance of a Willing Posture
God looks at our hearts to see how willing we are to trust Him—and that determines how much God entrusts to us. So check your level of willingness as we look at this. Luke chapter 2 says, At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. Luke 2:1-5
This tells us Joseph and Mary, pregnant with Jesus, were living in Galilee, in the town of Nazareth, but had to travel back to Joseph’s place of birth, Bethlehem, for a Roman census taken when Quirinius governed Syria. Interestingly, Archaeologists found an ancient tombstone in Beruit, saying that Quirinius was the Legate (or governor) for Augustus Caesar in 6 AD. Luke points out it was the first census—which probably harkens back to a known 8BC census Augustus made of the entire Roman Empire—which would have overlapped with the time of Jesus’ birth. So Luke reports real historical events that caused Mary and Joseph to go to Bethlehem.
Notice also, Luke says Joseph took Mary, his fiancée, with him. So Mary is pregnant with Jesus, but she’s not married. In our day, that may not seem like a big deal, but in ancient Jewish society—it would have been scandalous. Yet we know Mary was willing. In Luke Chapter 1, the Angel Gabriel appeared and said,
30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 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. 33 And he will reign over Israel[f] forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” Luke 1:30-34
Mary was a young teenage girl, being asked by God to step into confusion, gossip, slander, the questioning of her character—and to carry the long awaited Messiah—the one who the Jewish prophets had foretold would reign on King David’s throne, be called the Son of the Most High, or Son of God, and whose Kingdom will never end. Mary must have been scared, and unsure, and overwhelmed. Yet here is her response:
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38. Amen – Mary says, “may it be so.” That’s what Amen means—may it be so. That was Mary’s response: “May it be as you say, God—I’m willing!” Luke 1:38
So let’s go past the familiar today—if God were to look into your heart, what’s the posture of your heart? Is it like Mary’s “I’m Yours Lord, I’m willing—whatever you ask—I’m willing?”
If God asked you to do something where you’re thrust into an unknown future, would you be willing? What about if he asked you to give of yourself, or your time or resources, beyond what feels comfortable and controllable—what’s your heart’s posture? Is it often, “Let me think about it and get back to you, God.” Then we never really think about it? Or is it “God, whatever You want—I’m willing.”
Friends, that’s the heart God looks for, and he entrusts with more the heart that is more willing. Mary was incredibly willing. Amen—May it be your way.
And God chose Mary because Mary would Trust God Through the Chaos even when God confused her. Many of us trust God UNTIL the Chaos—then we bail. Mary probably knew the Jewish scriptures and the prophesies of the coming Messiah. She knew what an honor this was, and yet what a huge burden also. She knew what Isaiah said, 760 years earlier, about the Messiah. And by the way, if you are here and still not sure you believe Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. Consider what I’m about to read from Isaiah. Because in 1948 in the Dead Sea Scrolls, we found a complete copy of Isaiah carbon dating 150-300 years before Jesus was born. So proof positive, this and many other prophecies foretelling Jesus coming was written down before Jesus was born. Isaiah records:
[God] will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light… [and Mary lived in Galilee and Jesus did most of his ministry in Galilee—yet that was foretold]. 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. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne…with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. Isaiah 9:1-7
This very clearly says God will reveal himself to us—be born as a child, a son, who will be called Mighty God—and he will reign on King David’s throne. Which means he had to be in David’s lineage. You ever wonder why Matthew and Luke have these long genealogies—boring! We skip over them. But God has a reason—Matthew traces Jesus’ father Joseph’s lineage back to King David, while Luke traces Mary’s lineage—which also goes back through King David through a different son. So either way, Jesus came in the lineage of King David as the prophet Isaiah and others said he would. And Isaiah says his government and peace will have no end, and he will bring justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
But here’s where it had to be confusing for Mary. I’m sure she thought, as she was taught by all the Jewish Leaders—that Messiah would come, overthrow the evil Roman oppressors, and set up his Republican (or Democrat) party to rule and make things right—ie., the way we think they should be. And clearly, that’s NOT what happened. So what did Mary do with all the confusion with how Jesus did do things? She Trusted God through the Chaos—not Until the Chaos. So many of us trust God UNTIL the Chaos, then we become disheartened, frustrated that we don’t understand his ways, and we either go into rebellion, or we just back off—move our hearts away from him so we won’t get hurt again.
Trust God in the Chaos
Mary had lots of reasons to do that, but she trusted God Through the Chaos. Think of all the “Why’s” Mary must have asked:
Why let me be thrown into Scandal – pregnant out of marriage. Stress on her marriage. Raising a son who had village scandal attached to him. Why? Yet she trusted. God had said to Isaiah in a double fulfilled prophecy: 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you[c] a sign: The virgin[d] will conceive and give birth to a son, and[e] will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 Immanuel means “God with us.” Mary gave birth as a virgin to bring “God with us” – miraculous, yet. But also foretold, written down before it happened.
I’m sure Mary asked, “Why make me give birth in Bethlehem, in a Cave with dirty animals?”
Because remember the story—they got there late and even the last stop the Motel 6s were full. A cave where they kept the animals was the only shelter she could find to give birth.
But why not help me God? Why not have me give birth before the trip, or after, and why not miraculously make room in the Inn?
Yet later she probably realized what the Prophet Micah foretold:
But as for you, Bethlehem…From you One will come forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His times of coming forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity. – Micah 5:2.
God’s Messiah would come forth in Bethlehem. And He did—into very humble means. God is humble
All who are weary and burdened…Come learn from me, I’m gentle and humble of heart—and you’ll find rest for your souls. – Matthew 11:28-29.
Mary probably asked God, “Why bring lowly shepherds and detested Gentile Iranian Astrologers to worship this King?”
Luke and Matthew tell us after giving birth, Shepherds came to worship Jesus, then Maji—star gazers from Persia, modern Iran, had seen the signs in the stars that the King of the Jews, the Son of God, was born—because they came to worship him. This must have confused Mary—they were taught that Magi Gentiles were detested by God. A Jew was made unclean by being near a Gentile, and yet God sends them to worship Jesus—her newborn son.
Yet maybe Mary reflected on the words of Isaiah about the Messiah: And now the Lord says—he who formed me in the womb to be his servant…. he says:
It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. – Isaiah 49:5-6.
Mary trusted God through the Chaos and confusion, but she struggled too.
When Jesus turned 12, you heard Max read the story. Mary has raised Jesus—she’s very familiar with Jesus and his ways. And that’s wonderful, being familiar after knowing Jesus so long is good, and it can get us all in trouble—when we get so familiar, we think we have nothing left to learn or know more about Jesus. So They’re all in Jerusalem for the yearly Festival, and they start to head back in this large Caravan of family and neighbors—walking all day back toward Galilee—and that night, they can’t find Jesus. It’s like Home Alone 0—original version—they left without him.
It says, Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. Luke 2:46.
This should give all you parents some grace—Mary lost Jesus for 3 days. Not that you should intentionally do as Mary did—“Hey let’s ditch the kids for 3 days.” No! But there’s grace. And she was mad—she blamed Jesus, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.” Luke 2:48 Every time I read that, I hear a New York Jewish mom’s accent for some reason. “Why have you done this to us? You father and I have been frantic, searching everywhere.” Jesus calmly asks “Why? Didn’t you know I would be in my Father’s house?” Uhhh—well, No!
Jesus never sinned, but he did disappoint his parents in adolescence—He did differentiate, He did make decisions different from his parents, and he did cause them anxiety at times—so feel good. If a perfect 12-year-old produces parental anxiety, did you expect to get off easy?
Mary grew to trust Jesus more—to let him differentiate. She believed—in fact, she trusted so much, it was her belief that got Jesus to do his first miracle—turning water into wine when Mary’s good friends shamefully ran out. And it was good wine—not the cheap boonesfarm stuff. So Mary saw Jesus do miracles—yet she also doubted at times.
It got confusing—as it does for all of us. Jesus wasn’t overthrowing the Romans, he was clashing with the Jewish Religious Leaders—calling them hypocrites, and they were calling him Demon-possessed. And it got to Mary—the social pressure got to her, and fear for his life got to her, and she decided “Mother knows best” – it says in Mark 3
When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”… 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” 33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. 34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:21, 32-35.
Ouch! Jesus is subtly correcting his mother and brothers—they were giving in to fear and peer pressure, not doing God’s will. Mary failed at times (just like the 12 disciples), yet she turned back and trusted God through the Chaos. And we know this because she was there at the foot of the cross. Jesus shows such love and care for his mother—Joseph, her husband, had died years earlier. Mary was a widow, and Jesus last act on the cross was to say to John “Take care of my mother.” And Mary was there in the room with the disciples after the resurrection, praying and believing and waiting until the Holy Spirit came as Jesus promised.
Mary Trusted God through the chaos. Not just until the chaos—but through it. Can you trust God through the Chaos—past familiarity, even when God’s not acting as you see fit? And that points out the final way past Familiarity to growth—reflection.
Reflection is Necessary for Spiritual Growth
Of all these various things that happened to Mary, it says, “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19
Do you take time to ponder the things God is doing—especially when it’s not what you expected or wanted? Do you ponder the scriptures to see how God has led people in the past, and how his character is trustworthy—how he comes through even when we don’t see how it could happen this way? Will you take time to Treasure up—to remember those things you have seen God do? Reflection is necessary for growth in relationship to God.
Don’t let familiarity with Jesus keep you from growing deeper in relationship with him this Christmas season—take time for reflection, do you have a willing heart posture, and will you chose to trust God through the chaos? If you will, you too will be one who is highly esteemed by God.
