RBWords

     That simple submission by a young Palestinian Jewish woman helped God to change the world!  It is not an opportunistic response.  It is an act of faith that plunged her into an uncertain future.  Ominous signs showed up soon enough - like a sudden escape to Egypt in the middle of the night, and an old prophet in the temple making sober predictions.   Maybe Mary looked back wistfully at the period between settling down to a normal life in Nazareth and the roller coaster once Jesus started his public ministry!

     Christian tradition has looked to the prophecy of Isaiah as referring to Jesus' birth and a title - "Emmanuel" - that means, "God is with us."  Mary's response to the angel's announcement showed a simple and profound trust.  God was with her and inside her.  When we gaze on the manger scene, can we have that same simple and profound trust that God is with us?  Mother and son would face many trials together  They will be helping us do the same.  AMEN

[Note to the Beloved Congregation.  The week before Christmas in the Lectionary calls for special scriptures.  The title of the day is the date itself.  Hence "December 20" is what shows up in the lectionary.  Advent is a week short this year because Christmas falls on a Monday!  So the special readings show up in the Third Week of Advent instead of the Fourth!]