We are publishing a series of articles next week to celebrate the role of Mary in the birth of Christ. The title for the series comes from Elizabeth’s response in Luke 1:42, “and she exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!’” This series aims to explore the Scripture and celebrate the woman who holds a unique spot in the history of redemption.
Why should we celebrate Mary?
First, because the Bible celebrated her role as the mother of Christ. It is appropriate for us to talk favorably about the woman the Bible refers to as the “favored one” (Luke 1:28).
Second, because the church celebrated her role in the creeds. The only human referenced positively in the Apostle’s Creed and Nicene Creed is Mary. The creeds could have easily omitted her name but included it as a reminder of how God used this woman in an exceptional way.
Third, because we need a way to positively celebrate her role. Protestants have been understandably hesitant to give too much attention to Mary, fearing the errors of the Roman Church. But in doing so, we have failed to develop an appropriate appreciation of the testimony in Scripture about her life.
Five-Part Series
Each day, we will take a look at a different aspect of Mary’s life and witness. We’ve invited five women to write about Mary from different angles.
- Mary, the virgin. Christine Gordon, a visiting instructor at Covenant Theological Seminary, examines the theological significance of the virgin birth.
- Mary, the songwriter. Laura Story Elvington, a Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter considers what we learn from Mary’s Magnificat.
- Mary, the servant. Nancy Guthrie, author and Bible study leader, ponders the title Mary gave to herself, “I am the servant of the Lord.”
- Mary, the bereaved. Liz Edrington, author and associate director of care at McLean Presbyterian Church, contemplates Mary as she witnessed the death of her son.
- Mary, the Christian. Monse Santiago, RUF campus staff at the University of Michigan, reminds us that Mary was not only the mother of Christ but also a follower of Christ.
We hope your faith is strengthened as you consider from Scripture what can be gleaned from the life and witness of Mary.
Read the articles in our Blessed Among Women series here: