One of the false doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church is centered upon the Immaculate Conception of Mary. According to official Roman Catholic doctrine, Mary was conceived in her mother’s womb by natural human conception, but according to their teachings, she was preserved so that she was born without the stain of original sin. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin. [1]
One of the most touching passages of Scripture is found in Luke 1:46-55 where we see Mary’s song of praise regarding the conception of the Messiah – the Savior of the world. In that song of praise to God, notice the striking and sobering words she sings to God at the beginning (Luke 1:46-49):
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, [47] and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, [48] for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; [49] for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
Mary was a humble servant and worthy of esteem as a faithful example and child of God. However, we must recognize by Mary’s own admission, she is not worthy of praise and worship as the Roman Catholic Church exalts her to an undeserved status. According to the Roman Catholic Church, Mary is considered the “Mother of God” and the “Mother of the Church.” She is recognized as having joined people into the family of God by her own charity.
So, the question remains – why did immaculate Mary need a Savior? The answer is clear – Immaculate Mary wasn’t so immaculate. Was she a faithful servant of God? Was she someone who submitted to God and was used of God in a wonderful way? Yes – indeed. However, we must refrain from issuing to Mary a title that she can’t bear. In fact, if the truth were known, Mary would rebuke the Roman Catholic Church (the Pope notwithstanding) regarding the false and inappropriate worshipful status that they attach to her.
In short, Mary was not immaculate. Mary was a sinner. That’s why she needed a Savior. Why would someone who was conceived without sin sing a song about her need a Savior? The point is clear, Mary understood that she was not perfect. To put it in the words of a modern song, Mary understood that the child she would soon deliver, would soon deliver her. [2] Mary was singing out of true joy because she came to understand the hope of Isaiah 7:14 had come to pass in her womb.
The Bible teaches us that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). From Adam to Mary and from Mary to the entire human race – every person on planet earth has sinned against God. The only human to ever escape the stain of original sin was Jesus. He was God who became flesh and He was conceived of the Holy Spirit in Mary’s womb. Mary, on the other hand, was born into sin and that’s why she needed a Savior. Mary needed Jesus, the One prophesied long before (Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6). That’s why Mary was singing as Jesus was in her womb. She understood that she had something to sing about. Hope had come. The Savior of sinners would soon be born (Matthew 1:21).
Mary’s song would soon give way to birth pains. What has always been thought of as a Silent Night was not so silent after all. Not just because Mary gave birth to Jesus, but because soon the night’s sky would be filled with a multitude of angels praising God and saying:
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! (Luke 2:14)
The only means by which God could be pleased with Mary was for Jesus to come as her Savior. The only way Mary could have peace with God was because Jesus was born to die for her. Ask yourself this important question: Is God pleased with me? How? Only through Jesus Christ – the Messiah of God – can people find peace with God. Is your faith in Jesus Christ alone?
The true meaning of Christmas is not found in a shopping mall. It’s found in Mary’s song. Does your soul magnify the Lord? Does your spirit rejoice in God your Savior? Only when you connect the dots of Jesus’ birth to your need to be forgiven of sin will you see the true meaning of Christmas. Then, you will sing Mary’s song.
- Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church, 491.
- Mark Lowry, “Mary, Did You Know?”
