My Name Is Mary...
From a Humble Maiden to the Mother of the Savior
Beloved in the Lord,
My name is Mary, once a humble maiden from Nazareth, graced with a divine calling that forever changed the course of my life and, indeed, human history. As I pen this letter, I do so with a heart full of awe and gratitude for the mighty works of God, who chose an ordinary woman like me to play a part in His extraordinary plan of salvation.
I was born to Joachim and Anne of the Tribe of Levi, righteous before God and fervent in faith. In my youth, I was betrothed to Joseph, a just and honorable man of the House of David. Little did I know, my life was to be intertwined with the fulfillment of ancient prophecies.
My story is marked by a singular, miraculous moment when an angel of the Lord, Gabriel, appeared to me. His greeting, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you,” (Luke 1:28, RSV) filled me with wonder and trepidation. I, a simple girl from Nazareth, was chosen to bear the Messiah, the promised Savior of our people. “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” (Luke 1:31, RSV)
In humble obedience, I accepted this divine calling, trusting in the Lord’s goodness and power. “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38, RSV) This act of submission was not without its challenges. The miraculous nature of my conception brought with it questions and doubts, but Joseph, guided by a dream from the Lord, took me as his wife, protecting and honoring the sacred plan of God.
The birth of my son, Jesus, was as wondrous as it was humble. In a lowly manger in Bethlehem, the Light of the World entered our midst, wrapped in swaddling clothes, the incarnation of divine love. As shepherds and wise men came to worship Him, I pondered these things in my heart, marveling at the way God’s promises were unfolding.
My journey as a mother was filled with both joy and sorrow. From presenting Jesus in the temple, where Simeon prophesied that a sword would pierce my own soul, to witnessing His ministry, miracles, and teachings, my heart swelled with both pride and wonder. Yet, nothing could have prepared me for the anguish of standing at the foot of the cross, watching my beloved son suffer and die for the salvation of all.
Through it all, my faith remained steadfast, rooted in the knowledge that God’s purposes, though often beyond our understanding, are always for our good. “For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37, RSV)
To you, dear believers, I offer my story as a testament to God’s grace and faithfulness. Like you, I was a servant of the Lord, chosen in ways I could not have imagined, to be part of His redemptive plan. I encourage you to embrace God’s call on your life, no matter how unexpected or daunting it may seem. Trust in His unfailing love and power, for He is faithful to complete the work He begins in us.
May my life inspire you to say ‘yes’ to God, to treasure His word in your heart, and to follow Jesus, my son and our Savior, with unwavering faith and devotion.
With a mother’s love and a servant’s heart,
Mary, the blessed among women.