The Gospel of Christ

Mary Magdalene

Let It Be: Receiving God's Greatest Gift

The Christmas story holds a moment of stunning simplicity that echoes through eternity. A young woman receives news that will change not just her life, but all of human history. Her response? "Let it be to me according to your word."

These words from Mary carry profound weight for anyone seeking to understand what it means to truly receive God's grace and live in response to it.

The Gospel: What God Has Done

Before we can respond to anything, we must first understand what God has done. The Christmas narrative isn't primarily about Mary's obedience or Joseph's faithfulness. It's about God keeping His promise.

An angel appears to a virgin in Nazareth with an announcement that seems impossible. She will conceive and bear a son, and His name will be Jesus—which means "God saves." Not "Mary saves" or "we save ourselves," but God saves.

This fulfills ancient prophecies. Isaiah 7 promised that a virgin would conceive and bear a son called Emmanuel—God with us. Isaiah 9 declared that a child would be born who would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government would increase without end.

The Triune God orchestrates this salvation. The Father sends the angel. The Son enters human flesh. The Holy Spirit overshadows Mary, making the impossible possible.

Mary does nothing to earn this. She's not performing religious duties or achieving spiritual milestones when the angel arrives. She's simply living her life. Grace interrupts her ordinary day with extraordinary news.

This is the heart of the gospel: God initiates. God provides. God saves.

The Response: Let It Be to Me

Mary's response teaches us how to receive what God offers. She doesn't argue or negotiate. She doesn't present her resume of qualifications or list her concerns about public opinion.

Instead, she identifies herself as "the handmaid of the Lord"—the lowest position in her society. Then she speaks those transformative words: "Let it be to me according to your word."

This is what it means to receive Christ. John 1:12 tells us that to all who received Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. Receiving isn't passive; it's an active surrender to what God is doing.

But receiving Christ isn't a ticket to an easy life. Mary's journey illustrates this beautifully. After her "yes" to God, she faces whispers and accusations. She travels while heavily pregnant to Bethlehem, where there's no room for her. Her child is born in poverty. Shepherds and magi arrive with strange proclamations. A king seeks to murder her baby. They flee to Egypt as refugees. Later, a sword pierces her heart as she watches her son die on a cross.

Receiving Christ is free, but it's not easy. He doesn't just become Savior; He becomes Lord. He takes over your life. As Paul wrote in Galatians, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."

Christ in you. The mystery of the gospel, according to Scripture, is "Christ in you, the hope of glory." Just as Jesus grew inside Mary, Christ grows inside every believer who receives Him.

Let It Be to You: The Fellowship of Believers

Something remarkable happens next in Mary's story. She doesn't keep this news to herself. She hurries—the text emphasizes she hurries—to visit her relative Elizabeth.

When Mary arrives and greets Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth's womb leaps for joy. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, blesses Mary. Mary, carrying Jesus, blesses Elizabeth. They spend three months together, sharing their miraculous stories, building each other up in faith.

This is the pattern for believers. When you've received Christ, you gather with others who have received Him. You can't help yourself. You're blessed, and you want to share that blessing. You need encouragement, and you give encouragement.

Imagine their conversations. Elizabeth sharing about the angel who appeared to her husband Zechariah, promising them a son in their old age. Mary recounting the angel's visit to her, the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecies. Two women, both carrying miracles, both filled with the Holy Spirit, strengthening each other's faith.

When you're full of the Holy Spirit, you don't isolate. You gather. You speak. You build up the body of Christ. The Christian life was never meant to be lived alone.

Let It Be to You, You, You: The World Awaits

Then comes Mary's Magnificat—her song of praise that reveals what truly fires her up. "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior," she declares.

She can't contain herself. Her soul magnifies the Lord. Her spirit rejoices. She proclaims God's mercy, His mighty deeds, His faithfulness to His promises.

This raises a challenging question: What fires you up? What do you talk about when you can't help yourself? What occupies your thoughts and dominates your conversations?

The Christmas carols capture this irrepressible joy. "Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o'er the plains." "Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere." "O come, let us adore Him." These aren't songs of mild appreciation. They're explosions of joy that can't be contained.

Handel's Messiah declares it: "The kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever. Hallelujah!"

When you've received Christ, when you've experienced Him growing in you, when you've been strengthened by fellowship with other believers, you become like Mary—you want it for everyone. Let it be to you, and you, and you.

The Invitation Stands

The pattern is clear: Gospel received. Gospel response. Gospel shared with believers. Gospel proclaimed to the world.

It begins with "let it be to me"—receiving what God has done. It continues with "let it be to you"—building up fellow believers. It culminates with "let it be to you and you and you"—inviting the whole world to receive this gift.

The question remains: Have you said "let it be to me"? Have you received the one Mary carried? The one who came to save?

And if you have, who are you telling?

The joy of Christmas isn't just about a baby born long ago. It's about Christ in you, today, alive and growing. It's about a kingdom that will never end. It's about a Savior whose name is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Let it be.