The first chapter of St Luke’s gospel describes some astonishing events seemingly all coinciding with one another.
The Angel Gabriel had visited Mary and told her she had found favour with God and was to bear a son and call him Jesus.
The important thing is Mary completely accepted what she was being told, and said clearly that she would do whatever was God’s will.
Soon after this event, she visited her cousin Elizabeth, who lived about 100 miles away, and was also bearing a holy child.
When the baby in Elizabeth’s womb heard Mary’s voice, Elizabeth felt him jump for joy.
Mary and Elizabeth were both overcome with the holy spirit as they must have sensed the prophecies of ages long since gone materialising within and amongst them.
Then Mary sang her glorious Magnificat – which in Latin means my soul magnifies the Lord
In this beautiful song, Mary refers to various Old Testament verses foretelling the birth of Christ and she glorifies God for His power, holiness, and mercy.
She sings of Him transforming the world through the baby she will give birth to.
A baby who somehow would be both fully human and fully divine.
She sings prophetic words of justice, comfort and challenge which echo down the ages to us still today.
Ark of the New Covenant
The Blessed Virgin Mary had a heart of obedience, service and duty, she was pure and faithful and it’s difficult to describe just how important she was to God’s long term plans.
The early church fathers described her as the Ark of the New Covenant because she readily accepted the Angel Gabriel’s announcement, which started the era of a new Covenant between God and his people.
Today, both the Catholic and Orthodox churches and some parts of the Anglican communion, still acknowledge Mary as the Ark of the New Covenant.
Although others argue that this is not a literal description, but rather a pictorial illustration depicting just how very important and central Mary was to God’s long-term plans.
Revelation 12
St John foretold of Mary’s important role in a breath-taking cosmic vision written of in the book of Revelation, Chapter 12.
In this vision John tells of a great wonder appearing in heaven; a pregnant woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.
Theologians translate this vision as; the sun representing the light of the New Testament, the moon that of the Old Testament.
The stars in the crown representing both the patriarchs of old and the apostles of the New Testament.
The scene itself representing the model of the church to come and symbolised, in the figure of Mary.
And although Christ is the head of the Church today, Mary still shines as a central figure within it.
But who knows where we can see today, The Virgin Mary portrayed in all her glory as described in St John’s vision?
…………….
You can see it in the image above, a beautifully crafted banner placed, rightfully in a central part of our church by the side of the altar.
In full view of our congregation, Mary is portrayed in similar glory as described in the Book of Revelation.
Clothed with the sun, and a crown of twelve stars on her head – representing the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve disciples.
The moon is beneath her feet displayed as a crescent – or what we know as a quarter moon today.
And if you look closer at the banner, you’ll notice a snake beneath Mary’s feet.
In the Bible, the snake represents evil, which Jesus came to defeat.
The banner shows Mary trampling upon the snake, symbolizing Christ’s ultimate victory over Satan.
Bridge Between Heaven and Earth
And as Mary obediently carried out her duty in bringing forth the Son of God into the world, a bridge was formed between the old and the new – between divinity and humanity.
A cosmic bridge uniting God and humankind.
This is possibly one of the many reasons why Elizabeth said to Mary; ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.’
What Does this Mean for us Today?
Mary had a sincere and honest heart and the words she sang in the Magnificat spoke of justice, comfort and challenge.
Those words echo down the ages to us still today.
Although, I wonder if when we hear the Christmas message each year, we take for granted the biblical truths contained within the events of those days.
Because the words uttered then were completely revolutionary, and still are today.
They have shaped the global Christian community and gradually transformed the culture in many parts of the world, and continue to do so still today.
Long journeys were a strong feature in the biblical stories we hear of Mary and Joseph, and they undertook many arduous journeys because of their faith.
This makes me think of how those journeys would be so much easier for us today with our modern-day travel options.
But, then nevertheless we still have other modern-day trials and tribulations to contend with.
The point I want to make is that as Mary travelled far and wide under arduous conditions for her faith, we also encounter hazards and hardships on the journeys of our lives today.
We experience times when it seems like nothing is happening, or perhaps too much is happening, and so we wait longing for situations to change and refuel our hope.
The hope we have through Jesus of peace and life eternal.
But nevertheless, whatever our individual circumstances, whether comfortable or not, each day is important in the unique journey of our lives and our faith.
And as Mary had a heart of service, duty and obedience, so too we can develop in the same way as we plan the details of every precious day God assigns to us.
Because how we use every minute and hour of our lives is important and counts.
It counts in how we play a part in helping to advance the most important, amazing and long-term plan ever known to humankind.
which started with a newborn baby and a new covenant;
and eventually followed on with a promise of Christ’s return to the world, bringing peace and eternal life to all who believe in Him.