As we enter this Christmas week, many of us may not feel as “merry” as the season’s carols suggest. Yet, in the story of Mary, we find a model of how to experience true joy and peace amidst uncertainty.

Can you imagine what a young girl must have felt when an angel appeared to her with the impossible news that she had found favor with God, would conceive by the Holy Spirit, and bear the Son of God? The questions that surely raced through her mind—How can this be? Why me? How will this happen? Will anyone believe me? —must have been overwhelming. Yet, Scripture doesn’t show Mary questioning or seeking understanding. Instead, she simply responds, “Let it be according to your word.” In her calm acceptance, Mary exemplifies faith, trust, and worship, even without knowing how everything would unfold.

This Christmas, we are also faced with so many questions and unknowns. How will we navigate the challenges of inflation and financial uncertainty? Will the country stay divided? Will there ever be peace in the Middle East? The world seems full of unanswered questions, much like Mary’s was. But just as she trusted God’s word without knowing the full picture, we are called to do the same.

Mary is known for many things, but perhaps her greatest legacy is her humble faith in the face of profound uncertainty. She didn’t have answers to all the questions that surely arose in her heart. In fact, we could almost rewrite the famous song Mary, Did You Know? to Mary, You Didn’t Know Much! Yet, she believed. She trusted. And through her faith, the Savior of the world was born.

This Christmas let’s learn from Mary’s example. Like her, we can face the unknowns of our lives with calm trust and praise. David’s words in Psalm 131 echo Mary’s simple faith: “I have calmed and quieted my soul… my hope is in the Lord.” Just as David found peace by surrendering his need for answers, we too can find peace by trusting God’s sovereignty over our lives.

Though our future is uncertain, we can rest in the knowledge that God holds it all in His hands. Instead of dwelling on unanswered questions, let us return to the faith of Mary. She didn’t have to understand everything to trust God, and neither do we. Just as she took a leap of faith on that silent night, we too can trust in God’s plans, even when we don’t know the way forward.

This Christmas let’s humble ourselves and trust God with the uncertainties we face. For in trusting Him, we follow in the footsteps of Mary, whose faith brought forth our Savior. What incredible things might God have in store for you this Christmas?