I am very happy to announce that my book, ReLENTless Devotion, has just been published. This book contains 40 days of Lent devotionals and a special Easter Sunday meditation. Lent begins on February 14th this year.
The season of Lent is a time of reflection, renewal, and re-examination. God invites us to do “heart surgery” during the time between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday in an effort to move deeper in our relationship with Christ. As we contemplate the journey to the cross that Jesus made on our behalf, we will learn and grow through our time spent in God’s word.
God invites us to walk through these days together and remember and read the Messianic prophesies, the poetic voices of the Psalms, hear from the Gospel writers of their first-hand observations of their friend and teacher, and contemplate Jesus’ own words. Each day’s reading offers a brief Scripture, an engaging reflection, and a daily prayer. It is hoped that by the time Easter arrives, we will be rededicated in our Lenten disciplines of study, meditation, fasting, service, prayer, repentance, and self-examination.
Lent is a time to come clean with God.
I hope you will join me as we endeavor to observe a Holy Lent together this year.
Our magi story continues today in the book of Matthew. In a stunning turn of events, Joseph and Mary are forced to flee to Egypt in order to save their son from being murdered. Insane Herod, in his deep paranoia, ordered the slaughter of every child in Bethlehem under the age of two in an attempt to snuff out the child-king of the Jews. This is truly a “read it and weep” scenario:
Matthew 2 (Common English Bible)
13 When the magi had departed, an angel from the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up. Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod will soon search for the child in order to kill him.” 14 Joseph got up and, during the night, took the child and his mother to Egypt. 15 He stayed there until Herod died. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: I have called my son out of Egypt.
I can’t imagine how terrifying it was for Mary and Joseph to have to escape in the middle of the night to a foreign country. I can’t imagine the trauma they suffered as they crossed that border with little supplies … probably not much more than the clothes on their backs. What did they eat? How did they sleep? Where did they get water?
Egypt was a logical place to go, as it was a border country that was outside of Herod’s jurisdiction. It was under Roman rule but contained a large population of Jews. Joseph’s quick response to the angel shows us that he understood how far he would have to go to ensure the freedom and safety of his little boy. Any parent would do the same.
Wouldn’t you?
Murder of the Bethlehem children
16 When Herod knew the magi had fooled him, he grew very angry. He sent soldiers to kill all the children in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding territory who were two years old and younger, according to the time that he had learned from the magi. 17 This fulfilled the word spoken through Jeremiah the prophet:
18 A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and much grieving. Rachel weeping for her children, and she did not want to be comforted, because they were no more.
Jeremiah 31:15 records the mothers of Israel, embodied in Rachel, weeping over their children during the time when the nation of Judah was carried into captivity. There was then a great mourning in the tribes of Benjamin and Judah for their children who were slain or taken into captivity. History was repeated as mothers wept again in Jesus’ time.
Return from Egypt
19 After King Herod died, an angel from the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. 20 “Get up,” the angel said, “and take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel. Those who were trying to kill the child are dead.” 21 Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus ruled over Judea in place of his father Herod, Joseph was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he went to the area of Galilee. 23 He settled in a city called Nazareth so that what was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled: He will be called a Nazarene.
Scholars are unsure about how long Jesus and his parents stayed in Egypt. It could have been a few months or as long as 7 years. In any case, they made a home there until it was safe to return across the border to their homeland.
This passage begs many questions for us today. Our Lord and his parents were homeless for a good portion of his childhood. How should we respond? Is God calling us to care for the homeless in our communities? And our Lord and his parents were refugees. They were allowed safe passage across a border where they found freedom and safety. How should we respond? Is God calling us to care for refugees and immigrants in his name?
I pray that this part of Jesus’ story leaves a mark on your heart today, and I pray that together, we remember and honor our Refugee Lord in ways that are meaningful and tangible in our own communities.
I admire those of you who make New Year’s Resolutions. Doing this is a process of introspection, self-awareness, and determination. My daughter and her friends spend New Year’s Eve playing games while they contemplate last year’s resolutions and then commit to new ones. Declaring your resolutions in a friend group is a process of accountability, which is always wise when trying to set goals. Others can help us reach our objectives by holding us accountable for what we decided. Believe it or not, Lent is quickly approaching, and the season invites us to a spiritual accountability. This is the right time to make changes.
Many of our resolutions involve stopping a behavior and choosing a healthier path. We commit to stop over-eating, drinking, smoking, using recreational drugs, swearing, spending, cheating … name a vice, and it is sure to be on someone’s list of things they have resolved to quit in the New Year.
If you need to stop something, consider the end of this very familiar passage from the second Chapter of Matthew:
Matthew 2 (Common English Bible)
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem. 2 They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to honor him.”
3 When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, and everyone in Jerusalem was troubled with him. 4 He gathered all the chief priests and the legal experts and asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They said, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what the prophet wrote:
6 You, Bethlehem, land of Judah, by no means are you least among the rulers of Judah, because from you will come one who governs, who will shepherd my people Israel.”
Let’s pause here and take note of a few things. The rulership of King Herod suggests that this event happened about two years after Jesus’ birth. That knocks our nativity sets out of whack, doesn’t it? Posing the Wise Men around the infant king in his manger isn’t quite accurate, as he would have been a run-around-toddler at the time.
This Herod was Herod the Great. Bible scholar D.A. Carson writes this about Herod: “He was wealthy, politically gifted, intensely loyal, an excellent administrator, and clever enough to remain in the good graces of successive Roman emperors. His famine relief was superb and his building projects (including the temple, begun 20 B.C.) were admired even by his foes. But he loved power, inflicted incredibly heavy taxes on the people, and resented the fact that many Jews considered him a usurper. In his last years, suffering an illness that compounded his paranoia, he turned to cruelty and in fits of rage and jealousy killed close associates.” Herod died in 4 A.D., and we can assume that the Magi came to him just before his death when his paranoia was at its peak.
Also, the word “magi” is from the Greek “majoi,” which translates to astronomer. So our carols about these men being kings is a little off, perhaps a reference to Old Testament writings that prophesied that kings would come to worship the Messiah. Being astronomers is an important part of the story: They were men who studied the stars. God sent them a star. God will always speak to us in our own medium when he wants our attention. Where in your life is God speaking to you?
7 Then Herod secretly called for the magi and found out from them the time when the star had first appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you’ve found him, report to me so that I too may go and honor him.” 9 When they heard the king, they went; and look, the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. 11 They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Because they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route.
Verse 12 is the most important part for us today. They went back to their homes by another route. When we encounter God, we rarely keep going in the same direction, but rather leave our current path and start a whole new trajectory.
Where is God calling you to go home by a new route? You are not meant to stay the same after a ‘come to Jesus’ moment. What new route will you take this year?
Whatever it is, wherever you go, follow his star.
(Lent begins on February 14. I have just published a book of Lent devotionals, ReLENTless Devotion available at Amazon. Take a look!)
Happy New Year! My New Year’s Day started off with a bang. As my family of five, including 18-month old twins, was preparing to drive home, I was tasked with keeping an eye on the kids as mom and dad worked on packing the car. I watched them play as I unloaded the dishwasher and got the entire top rack of mugs and cups put up in the cupboard before I realized that nobody had run the dishwasher last night. A few minutes later, one of the twins excitedly ran over to me to offer me a much-needed hug, causing me to spill a large cup of coffee across my dining room table, onto the white padded chair, and onto the floor. As I am writing this introduction onto this post (which I wrote yesterday), I got a notice that read, “Updating failed. Sorry, you are not allowed to edit this post.” Say what??
How is your New Year going?
Let’s get to it. I hope you have made a resolution to read Scripture every day this year. I am here for that, dirty cups and spilled coffee and all.
Once upon a time, a man told me I was worth 500 camels. True story. Apparently, the trinket vendors in Israel judge a women’s worth in camels. He assessed me as he was attempting to sell me some olive wood carvings and proclaimed I was worth 500 of them. I never found out if 500 camels is a high or low value, but it was amusing, nevertheless.
Camels are very important in the holy land. Their ability to travel long distances over arid deserts with little water makes them uniquely qualified to be the beasts of burden to an appreciative nation. Camels, however, have a very poor attitude toward their keepers. Despite their lovely eyelashes and cute stuffed animal faces, they groan and buck and spit. Yes, camels spit. I once rode a camel at the Mt. of Olives and it tried to run away with me, and then tried to buck me off.
In our beautiful passage from Isaiah today, we see the promise of many camels that will be spread across the land. They will come from nearby nations and bring gold and incense. Their arrival heralds the restoration of Israel after a long absence from the Lord. God calls the nation to arise and shine as a testament to his redemptive power:
Isaiah 61 (Common English Bible)
Arise! Shine! Your light has come; the Lord’s glory has shone upon you. 2 Though darkness covers the earth and gloom the nations, the Lord will shine upon you; God’s glory will appear over you. 3 Nations will come to your light and kings to your dawning radiance.
Israel was not just restored for its own sake, but to be a light to the nations that would draw people to God. He called them to be witnesses to his power:
4 Lift up your eyes and look all around: they are all gathered; they have come to you. Your sons will come from far away, and your daughters on caregivers’ hips. 5 Then you will see and be radiant; your heart will tremble and open wide, because the sea’s abundance will be turned over to you; the nations’ wealth will come to you.
Everyone hearing Isaiah’s prophecy would recognize the significance of the camel reference here:
6 Countless camels will cover your land, young camels from Midian and Ephah. They will all come from Sheba, carrying gold and incense, proclaiming the Lord’s praises. 7 All Kedar’s sheep will be gathered for you; rams from Nebaioth will be your offerings; they will be accepted on my altar, and I will glorify my splendid house.
Isaiah proclaims God to be the hope of the coastlands. This gives us pause to consider our own state of affairs. Where are you walking in darkness today? Do you need to be rescued? Are you waiting for redemption? Will 2024 be your year of soul restoration? As you wait, consider this: God redeemed his chosen nation. You, too, are chosen.
8 Who are these who fly like a cloud, like doves to their shelters? 9 I’m the hope of the coastlands. Ships from Tarshish are in the lead to bring your children from afar, their silver and gold with them for the name of the Lord your God and for the holy one of Israel, who has glorified you. 10 Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Though in my rage I struck you down, in my favor I have consoled you.
You, my friend, are worth all the camels on earth. So if you are struggling today, remember that God loves you and sent his son to give his very life for you. In his favor he will console you and rebuild you.
I am one of those mothers who raised her children not to use the word hate. I was hoping to avoid that moment in middle school when one of them would yell “I hate you!” at me. (Sadly, and predictably, it didn’t work.) I encouraged them to say they didn’t care for something, or didn’t like a particular thing, but the word hate was on the bad-word list.
I am working on a women’s retreat based on Ecclesiastes 3. This Scripture affirms that there is a time for everything, even hate. After doing some research and praying for illumination, I realized that there are many things we should hate. Injustice. Prejudice. Evil. Abuse. Violence. Everything that opposes God.
Several months ago I read something on X/Twitter that I absolutely hated, and I don’t mind saying that. The question was asked, “Who are your favorite women pastors, preachers, theologians, teachers, authors, etc.” A male pastor responded that actually, he preferred these women “hanged or burnt.” He later added “or drowned.”
I realize that Twitterverse is full of ignorance, where cowards hide behind a wall and hurl hateful words under a guise of anonymity. But this guy is so full of himself, he used his real name and the denomination he represents. His church eventually took down his hateful rhetoric, but his tweet had been screenshotted and shared. I hope he lost his job. Some responders tried to defend him by explaining that this denomination was ”traditional.” Really? If you think that burning, hanging, and drowning women fit in with your tradition, I can’t help you.
Today’s psalm comes at a good time for my heart. It reminds me that God is the ruler of everything, and he sits on a throne of righteousness and justice. There is a fire that goes before the Lord that “burns,” but it won’t be the women preachers. It will be the enemies of God on every side … and surely people who use their positions and pulpits to spew hatred that is antithetical to the Gospel will feel its heat, in due time.
Psalm 97 (Common English Bible)
The Lord rules! Let the earth rejoice! Let all the islands celebrate! 2 Clouds and thick darkness surround God. His throne is built on righteousness and justice. 3 Fire proceeds before him, burning up his enemies on every side. 4 His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees it and trembles!
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of the whole world!
Famous commentator Charles Spurgeon reminds us that God is the great leveler of mountains: “Men cannot move the hills, with difficulty do they climb them, with incredible toil do they pierce their way through their fastnesses, but it is not so with the Lord. His presence makes a clear pathway, obstacles disappear, a highway is made, and that not by his hand as though it cost him pains, but by his mere presence, for power goes forth from him with a word or a glance.”
If you are facing an insurmountable mountain this morning, go to the One who can melt it like wax.
6 Heaven has proclaimed God’s righteousness, and all nations have seen his glory. 7 All those who worship images, those who are proud of idols, are put to shame. All gods bow down to the Lord! 8 Zion has heard and celebrates, the towns of Judah rejoice, because of your acts of justice, Lord, 9 because you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth, because you are so superior to all other gods.
It was interesting to read the responses to the pastor’s tweet. Many encouraged others to speak out against his evil. While addressing the violence he advocated in his “joke,” many people took this as an opportunity to speak out against prejudice and to promote the true Christian ideal of love, inclusivity, and justice.
10 Those of you who love the Lord, hate evil! God guards the lives of his faithful ones, delivering them from the power of the wicked.
While I hope this man is sanctioned for his words, I know that God is using this conversation to bring forth a justice of its own kind. The fact that his church removed the tweet gives me hope. Somebody is paying attention. Somebody is sowing a seed of righteousness that proclaims that this is not acceptable. Somebody is shining a light on his misogyny, and God will be his judge.
11 Light is planted like seed for the righteous person; joy too for those whose heart is right. 12 Rejoice in the Lord, righteous ones! Give thanks to his holy name!
This is good for us to remember today. We can rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS. We can rest in knowing that God is bringing justice and healing in his wings. No matter what injury you have suffered, no matter what injustice you have received, God will make it right in the end.
Our passage from Luke today includes a beautiful phrase: “He was waiting for the consolation of Israel.” This phrase comes from Isaiah 12:1, where God brings consolation and comfort to those who wait. I have sat with many people as they waited for consolation. This is what happens in hospital waiting rooms. This is what happens as the hospice nurse is on the way. This is what happens when the horrible divorce is almost at an end. This is what happens when we receive news of an accident, tragedy, or any other life-altering event. We wait to be consoled in the way only the Holy Spirit can console us.
Indeed, today Israel is waiting for consolation and the end of war with Hamas and the return of their captured citizens. Gaza waits for the consolation of the end of the siege. People all over the world are waiting for the end of terror and strife.
Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel, which he know would only come with the Lord’s Messiah. His belief was so strong, he waited in faith and he anticipated Jesus’ arrival:
Luke 2 (NIV)
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Wow, so much to unpack here, but let’s stay focused on Simeon. He was waiting for the Lord’s Messiah and was empowered in his waiting by the Holy Spirit. He had been assured by God that the Messiah would actually come in his lifetime, and he believed that so much, he went to the temple every day. He was there that day, led by the Holy Spirit, anticipating that he would see Jesus.
Let that soak in.
What are you waiting for today? Do you wait with enough faith that you are anticipating God’s resolution to happen? Are you waiting with full assurance that you will encounter Jesus? Are you making your way toward his saving grace with confidence that you will be delivered?
Anticipation tells us that whatever we do, wherever we are, whatever sin we have committed, whatever burden of grief we bear, no matter WHAT, Jesus is ready. He is ready to heal, to direct, to rebuke, to fight for you … Jesus is ready.
Simeon teaches us to anticipate with hope. We are invited to stand firm on the promises of God in our lives and EXPECT to be delivered. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of Jesus:
Romans 8 (NLT)
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
“Neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” God always delivers on his promises.
Simeon waited until he saw Jesus, and we can too. Go to the Temple! He is there.
Merry Christmas to all of you! My hope and prayer today is that you feel the joy, awe, wonder, and relief that Christmas morning brings. But truth be told, there are some among us who carry generational trauma at Christmastime. Today can be a trigger day for those whose families struggled with anger, neglect, abuse, poverty, and deep unhappiness. You may be waking up this morning just feeling glad that the season is over, and all you have to do is get through today. For you especially, I pray that God’s overwhelming peace and hope would flood your soul and replace your memories with calm assurance of his presence.
My favorite Christmas hymn is Christina Rossetti’s In the Bleak Midwinter. I think it speaks into every moment of Christmas: The bleak ones, the reverent ones, the tender ones, and the giving ones.
In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan Earth stood hard as iron Water like a stone Snow had fallen Snow on snow on snow In the bleak midwinter Long, long ago
Angels and Arc Angels May have traveled there Cherubim and Seraphim Thronged the air But only his Mother In her maiden bliss Worshiped the beloved With a kiss
What can I give him? Poor as I am If I were a shepherd I would give a lamb If I were a wise man I would do my part But what I can I give him Give him my heart Give him my heart
If you are bleak this morning, know that you are loved. If you are filled with joy today, reflect on the maiden kiss that Mary gave her baby. If you are happily weary, rest in the company of angels. If you have hope, go out and tell it from the mountains.
Merry Christmas, my friends! Thank you for reading.
Last week I preached a sermon suggesting we try to “unhurry” Christmas, and I challenged the congregation to listen again to the familiar Luke 2 passage on the nativity and see if they could spot who was in a hurry the night the Christ Child was born. See if you can spot it, too:
Luke 2 (Common English Bible)
2 In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists. 2 This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria. 3 Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled. 4 Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. 5 He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom.
8 Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night.9 The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. 11 Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. 12 This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.” 13 Then a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, 14 “Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.”
15 When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.” 16 They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. 18 Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully. 20 The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told.
So, Joseph made his way by foot and donkey from Nazareth to Bethlehem a distance of about 90 miles. Not in a hurry.
Mary takes time to wrap Jesus snugly in his blanket, and later spends time in reflection, pondering things in her heart. Not in a hurry.
The angels manifest in the sky and have a choir practice to announce the good news. Not in a hurry.
Later in the story, actually about two years later, the wise men show up with their Christmas presents. Definitely not in a hurry!
So who was in a hurry? The shepherds. “Let’s go RIGHT NOW to see what’s happened. And they went QUICKLY and found the baby laying in a manger.”
But don’t miss the point: they left their WORK to rush into Jesus’ presence.
Maybe we could do the same today. In the midst of our holiday hustle and tasks, we could stop and leave our work. We could slow down long enough to hurry in another direction. We could put our activities on hold so we might quietly meet with our Lord. We could be settled and silent in the presence of Jesus.
As a result we just might discover an unhurried holiday: a season that will strengthen us spiritually instead of sapping our energy and joy. If we strip away all the extra stuff, maybe we will find ourselves in Jesus’ presence.
So in this moment, unhurry yourself and sit in Jesus’ presence. Breathe in the essence of peace and exhale out all your anxiety. May God bless us, everyone.
Today, we continue with “Mary Week” as we read a portion of Luke traditionally known as The Magnificat, the Latin translation of the first line “My soul magnifies the Lord.” This song of praise was sung just after receiving news of her pregnancy, and the language in it reveals Mary’s complete and utter devotion to God, in whom she trusted.
Luke 1 (New Revised Standard Version)
46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
Scholars note that this song resembles Hannah’s song in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. Upon deeper investigation, there are at least 12 other allusions to the Old Testament in The Magnificat. Do you recognize the significance of this? It means that Mary was a woman who studied and knew God’s Word. Because the Scriptures were on her heart, God’s Word came out in her song.
50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
If you were to write your own Magnificat today, what would you sing? How would you praise God, and which blessings would you include? Mary’s song is a gentle reminder to us today to keep reading God’s Word, keep studying, and ponder Scripture in our hearts like she did.
God lifts up the lowly and fills us with good things. Thanks be to God!
My email is filled this morning with “last minute Christmas gift ideas” and I am mentally doing a gift checklist to see if I need anything last minute. In six days it will all be over and our selections, for better or for worse, will be revealed and we’ll know whether or not we got a hit or a miss.
We’ve been blessed with family this weekend and stories of unusual Christmas presents were shared. I had to laugh when my husband confessed to everyone that he had a miss the first Christmas after we got married. He had even gone to three stores to buy it! I still can’t imagine what possessed him to get me a bacon press, and he can’t remember why he was so sure it was exactly what I wanted. It made a great door stop, though.
In our countdown to Christmas readings this week, we will consider the best Christmas gift the world ever received from Mary’s perspective. I am always amazed to think about how young she was and how unstartled she was at this extremely startling pronouncement:
Luke 1 (Common English Bible)
26 When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, 27 to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary.28 When the angel came to her, he said, “Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you!” 29 She was confused by these words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. God is honoring you. 31 Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. 33 He will rule over Jacob’s house forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom.”
Can you imagine what it would be like to be visited by an angel? What do they even look like? Of course Mary was confused! But I love that the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. God is honoring you.” Indeed, “don’t be afraid” is often the way angels greet people. I’m not sure that would work for me, as I would probably be lying unconscious on the floor after having fainted, so I would miss the whole “don’t be afraid” part.
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen since I haven’t had sexual relations with a man?”
35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come over you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the one who is to be born will be holy. He will be called God’s Son. 36 Look, even in her old age, your relative Elizabeth has conceived a son. This woman who was labeled ‘unable to conceive’ is now six months pregnant. 37 Nothing is impossible for God.”
Young Mary received comfort from her cousin’s miraculous pregnancy to help her negotiate her own. The normalization of extraordinary conceptions now ran in their family and probably helped both women accept that they had been favored by God, and they would be all right. The angel spoke an important truth that day: Nothing is impossible for God.
What impossible thing are you up against today? What kind of miraculous intervention do you need right now? If an angel were to appear to you in this moment, what news would you hope for?
38 Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
Mary’s example of servanthood is legendary. When God calls us to do an important, wonderful, strange, and impossible task for him, this is how we should respond as well.
Are you feeling up against it today? You are God’s favored one. Nothing is impossible with God.
At Water’s Edge 