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Servant sweetMonday, December 12, 2005
Luke 1:26-29 The people in this story kept low profiles. They didn't invite interest, controversy, scandal. Mary lived simply and expected to continue her quiet life with Joseph. When important people were interested in you, they usually meant no good will. When you were noticed, there was little to gain and lots to lose. So what will Mary do when the spotlight shines down on her? Gabriel doesn't let her off the hook. She really is highly favored. He has terrific news for her. But his name alone is intimidating. His voice rocks her world. And what he has to say, she realizes immediately, jeopardizes her future with Joseph and relationships with everyone she cherishes. Controversy and scandal are unavoidable. Gabriel has seen to that. Mary didn't get an abortion. Thank God. Saving face, protecting her career, or simplifying her future were not so important to her as they might have been to me, with my culturally-expected predisposition to protect myself. Mary speaks in obedience, "I am the Lord's servant. Let it be to me as you have said." Her simple words satisfy Gabriel, and she will soon become pregnant, and Jesus will be born in nine months, and the kingdom of God will come to earth. And Jesus her baby will save us from our sins. Thousands of years later it is his birthday that we look forward to today with such joy. Father, I am your servant. Let life be to me as you make it be. Give me strength to live this prayer. Thank you. |
The big guns don't come to Nazareth everyday. The king doesn't rush through in his chariot, and the angel Gabriel doesn't visit often either. Just a dusty quiet town, Nazareth. Joseph just a carpenter's apprentice. Mary his girlfriend, promised to him by her father and mother.