I love Christmas time. The house is lit with candles, and the fireplace warms us as we enjoy the beauty of the tree. My mom’s Hummel Nativity Set greets you when you walk in the front door.  The manger scene is front and center as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. As I stare at the figurines, Mary is depicted with a halo around her head. She truly was blessed and perhaps the most unique person in history. Her story teaches us about confronting uncertainty.

Can you imagine what a young girl must have thought and felt when an angel appeared to her and told her she had found favor with God, would conceive of the Holy Spirit and bear the Son of God? Not your everyday experience! The questions that must have come to mind: “How can this be? Why me? How will this actually happen? Will anyone believe this story?”

Interestingly, Scripture doesn’t record a series of questions that Mary had to ask in order to cooperate with God. Yes, she did ask how could this happen since she wasn’t married. Then, the novel news about the Holy Spirit coming to her, and God’s power coming over her had to sound strange. Instead of reacting with even more questions or anxiety, she says, “Let it be according to your Word.” Mary received a Word, faithfully replied, trusted God, and then worshipped.

No one else in the world conceived of the Holy Spirit and gave birth to the Son of God. Yet, when this life changing event was announced, she accepted it with humility and trust. She didn’t know how any of it would turn out. In fact, we might retitle the well-known song, Mary Did You Know? To Mary, You Didn’t Know Much! Still, she believed and trusted. What an incredible sign of faith. I am challenged by her response to great uncertainty.

This Christmas, let’s learn from Mary. Can we face the many questions we don’t have answers to like she did-with calm, trust and praise. Similar to Mary, the psalmist records another type of simple faith in one of the Songs of Ascent, Psalm 131. After years of turmoil and inner nagging, King David finally experiences peace. He no longer has to have answers to things, and realizes He may never understand the complexities of life. He has quieted his heart and has stopped trying to figure everything out. In verse 2 of the chapter, he tells us he has calmed and quieted his soul. He is content. Why? Because his hope is in the Lord, not his might and power as king.

These two biblical people understood how to face uncertainty with a simple, quiet trust in God. One immediately trusted God and the other struggled for years. No matter our own history, trust in God is how to face uncertainty. It’s a choice we make to trust in what we cannot see. Our confidence is not in ourselves, rather God. Isaiah 41: 13 reminds us, “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” When we make this surrender, we can have peace as our striving stops. This is how we can be anxious about nothing.

Mary understood Proverbs 16:9 , The heart of man plans his ways, but the Lord establishes his steps. I am sure she never planned this path for her life. It couldn’t have been imaginable. But once the angel spoke to her and told her not to be afraid,  she chose faith over fear. This holiday season, let’s remember Mary for her simple faith that led to the birth of our Savior.