Being A God-Bearer
Traditionally, Christmas is the day to especially celebrate the virgin Mary giving birth to Jesus Christ, the Savior (Mt 1:18-25). She carried God the Son in her and brought Him forth to the world. In a different way, we, too, carry God in us and are to bring Him forth in clear manifestation to the world (Col 1:27). Father, Son, and Holy Spirit live inside the Christian (Jn 14:17, 20, 23, NJB; Rom 8:9, NIV).
Mary was rightly considered to be highly favored by the Lord (Lk 1:28). Yet, this same word and idea of being greatly favored is applied to all believers (Eph 1:6). We, too, are God-bearers, highly favored of the Lord. What an incredible privilege! God-bearers are united to Christ by faith (Eph 3:17-19). We are now seated with Him in heavenly places (Eph 2:6) and are in a like-one-person relationship with Him (Rom 12:4-5; 2 Cor 11:2 with Rev 19:7-8). This is so much the case that we are co-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:16-17) and will sit with Him on His throne (Rev 3:21). This is not to depreciate Mary’s blessedness. Rather, on this day and every day, may we remember that Christ is in us also. We, too, have God in us!
Like Mary, we have a responsibility in how we carry Him. Like her and Jesus, whom she birthed into the world, we can count on many people misunderstanding, devaluing, and rejecting us. God came in the guise of an infant that those who had faith and open hearts would recognize Him (Lk 2:25-32). May we, like Mary and Jesus, focus on the joy of having God in our life more than we look at the hardship that might cause (Lk 1:38 with Heb 12:2).
On this day, and every day, may we remember that, by faith, Christ is in us too.
Through faith in Jesus Christ, God dwells in us.