In light of the holiday season, it’s easy to get caught up in all the hustle and bustle that is Christmas. Lights, trees, ribbons and bows galore, carols, food, family; none of these things are innately bad. It’s great to celebrate Christmas and enjoy seasonal traditions. However, it’s easy to get so excited about all the pretty and shiny things surrounding us that we forget the reason for the season (please forgive my cliche). I’d like to take look at the Christmas story and focus in on one of the central characters, Mary.

Mary was your average, young Christian teen. She lived righteously and followed God’s commands. Theoretically, the last thing she “deserved,” for lack of a better term, was teen pregnancy. As a young lady, I can only imagine how terrifying that situation must have been. Judgmental glares, awkward silences, lost friends; why would God force someone living so faithfully to endure such a situation? And why, in the midst of it all, did Mary respond the way she did?

Most young women would respond with anger, fear, and resentment. How dare the God she had followed so faithfully punish her like this? As a virgin, there was no biological way for her to even get pregnant. As soon as she was chosen for this task, everything changed.

But the thing is, Mary didn’t respond with anger or frustration or indignation. Take a look at Mary’s words in Luke 1:

“And Mary said, ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me - holy is his name.”

Mary goes on to describe the incredible things God has done, not just for her but throughout all of history. Instead of choosing a negative perspective, Mary chose joy. Instead of viewing herself as the victim, Mary chose to recognize the special role God had awaiting for her in the salvation story. Instead of begging for her situation to be changed, Mary praised the Lord for choosing her. Mary’s faithful, righteous heart made the mother of Jesus all the more beautiful.

So, how does this apply to us? I’ll be the first to admit that when something in my life doesn’t go according to my plan, I complain. My type-A personality can’t handle the fact that someone else is in better control of my life than I am. However, when we learn to let go and allow God to have control, things will turn out all the better in the end. God has a plan, both for us and for humanity as a whole. As my pastor once said, “God doesn’t always do things for our happiness, but for our holiness.” He’s got things under control; rest in that beautiful truth this holiday season.