He Likes Us, Too . . .

It is the stereotype that evokes a knowing grin and yet strikes home. The slightly eccentric uncle who always has strange conspiracy theories to share at family gatherings. Or the somewhat loud aunt who talks nonstop, has strong opinions on every topic, and is a poor listener. They are part of the family, and somehow we “love” them—but that doesn’t necessarily mean we “like” them too. In fact, they often get on our nerves, and we are grateful when the holiday get-together is behind us.

Love—yes; like—not necessarily. Somehow that sounds strangely familiar. We tend to say the words “I love you” to children, spouses, parents, or friends almost formulaically in the morning or at the end of a phone call, even when we are annoyed with the other person or experiencing tension. That’s just what you say, one might think.

During the Christmas season we hear a lot about God’s love, revealed to us in the gift of the Baby in Bethlehem. We sing “Silent Night, Holy Night” and enjoy fairy lights and a cozy table set with candles and delicious cookies.

The Real Story

The biblical Christmas story, however, doesn’t sound as cozy and cuddly as a traditional “I love you.” A young woman in her teens is told that she will become a mother. We can only imagine some of her fears when the biblical account tells us that Mary “was greatly troubled” (Luke 1:29),[*] and after the surprising announcement by the heavenly messenger, we hear her deep consternation: “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (verse 34). Literally, the Greek text says, “I don’t know any man”—that is, I have never had sexual intercourse. Even in the twenty-first century a child born out of wedlock to a teenager is a heavy burden for those involved. Two thousand years ago it was pretty much a social death sentence.

How does Mary respond to this strange announcement that will completely change her life? “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (verse 38).

We hear acceptance and a hint of faith and trust—even in the face of her own perplexity and many unanswered (or, in fact, unanswerable) questions.

Two unexpected and seemingly impossible pregnancies clearly communicate to us, and certainly to Mary and Elizabeth, that God was at work to send Messiah and that something great was about to happen.

After this encounter Mary sets off to visit her relative Elizabeth, who—as the biblical text tells us—was advanced in age and had always longed for children, but had never been able to bear any. Elizabeth belongs to the long list of biblical women who suffered because of their barrenness. The angel had told Mary that Elizabeth’s totally improbable pregnancy would be a sign for her that the promise had been fulfilled.

Elizabeth is pregnant—and Mary bursts into loud praise, realizing that God is at work here. Two unexpected and seemingly impossible pregnancies clearly communicate to us, and certainly to Mary and Elizabeth, that God was working behind the scenes to send Messiah and that something great was about to happen. John later describes it as “God so loved the world that He gave . . .”—you can fill in the rest. Mary’s response is praise: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46, 47). Theologians have called her song the Magnificat, based on that first line. Musicians have composed countless melodies around Mary’s song.

More Than a Principle

We know and love the rest of the Christmas story and the birth of Jesus—the Savior of the world—who comes to us as a helpless baby to bring us salvation from our fears, our inadequacies, our doubts, and our guilt. The Baby in the manger tells us that God loves us—and yes, that He really likes us. For Him, love is more than just an important theological principle. God’s love is revealed in the person of the Savior, who touches the sick, embraces the marginalized, invites the troubled into the peace of His presence, and spends time with those on the margins of society.

Mary must have sensed this a little, even though she herself certainly did not fully understand it. “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” is a wonderful response to the unexpected and almost impossible that becomes reality through Jesus Christ. God chose to come unimaginably close to us in the Babe of Bethlehem. For God this was not a quick family dinner to be endured with humanity. God wanted to live life with us. As hard as it is to believe, God really must like us!

[*] Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations have been taken from English Standard Version.