This week we celebrate the first feast of the Church year, the Nativity of the Theotokos. Although this is not a scriptural feast (Like the Annunciation) it nonetheless has been woven into the spiritual and liturgical life of the Church for many centuries. Indeed this can be a challenge for many people trying to understand Orthodox Christianity as it gives the impression that we are adding stuff to the Gospel, or that the scriptures are not enough. Yet if we scratch the surface of a feast like the Nativity of the Theotokos, we see that everything about Mary, is about her son Jesus, and the witness of the Lord’s saving love as revealed in holy scripture… or to quote Fr. Thomas Hopko ” The Gospel is not about Mary, but Mary is certainly about the Gospel!”
In all those feasts that are dedicated to her, what is brought to our attention is the whole economy (working out) of salvation. Her being conceived by Joachim and Anna (which we are celebrating), her nativity, her entrance into the temple (Nov. 21st), her conception of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ at the Annunciation of Gabriel (March 25th), and her Dormiton (Aug. 15th), speak with clarity about the love of God for His creation, and the length He goes to save us; “who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men”(Phil. 2:6-7).
The through line of all that is celebrated those feast days that focus on her, is the principle that the Lord’s saving work was never demonstrated in a vacuum.
It started with Israel’s covenant with the Lord, and the struggles to follow Him as witnessed by the holy men and women who clung to the Law, the Psalms, and the Prophets. This struggle continued with the righteous Joachim and Anna, who in faith conceived, and brought forth a child in their barren old age -Mary – who in the fullness of time brought forth her son and our saviour, Jesus Christ. Emanuel, God with us!
In the same way that the Lord worked with humanity, and through history, He continues to work with us; here and now. What was accomplished by the Old Testament those many prophets, kings, men and women like Joachim and Anna, who although “having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise” God having provided something better for us,” (Heb. 11:39,40) is now accomplished by us through the grace of the Holy Spirit “poured into our hearts” (Rm. 5:5). For if the Lord in His love for Humanity, did not act independently or arbitrarily in His saving work in those days of old, why would he do it now?
This feast of the most holy Theotokos’ nativity is the perfection of a promise to redeem Israel and all humanity, manifested not in some awesome demonstration of divine power that would put most amazing CGI to shame, but in the most basic and natural way; through people willing to trust in the Lord, through a family.
Although not a part of scripture, this feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, profoundly expresses the scriptural principle of the Lord’s saving love – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved”. (Jn. 3:16-17). By the prayers of the most holy Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, and like the saints who throughout all the ages have placed their trust in Him (those “who hear the word of God and Keep it” (Lk. 11:28)).
May we also strive to work with a God who comes to save us, by being with us, by working with us, and profoundly, by being like us in every way except sin.
