With less than 20 days to go before we celebrate the birth of our Savior, I've decided to take a break from my study of 2 Corinthians (which is what I've been reading during my quiet time lately) and instead do daily Bible readings that focus on the anticipation, preparation and birth of Jesus. I've also decided to post my thoughts & reflections here on the blog ... many of my fellow blogging friends are doing this, and I'm learning so much from their insights. I'm not sure that I'll be able to add anything worthwhile to the advent conversation, but I'll share my thoughts anyway.
Today's Reading: Luke 1:26-56
The more I think about Mary, the more I realize that I only grasp a glimmer of what she had to go through. I can only begin to imagine what she must have felt when the angel appeared to her and told her that she was pregnant with the long-awaited Messiah. Scripture captures her initial shock and disbelief ("how can this be?") and her willingness to be obedient ("I am the Lord's servant") ... a few verses later we read her words of praise as she exalts God and what He is doing through her ... but there's no mention of the other thoughts and emotions I'm sure she had to process along the way.
I'm sure she wondered how Joseph would take the news, what he would say. I'm sure she was worried he would break off their engagement or, worse still, have her stoned to death for adultery. I'm sure her thoughts frequently drifted to the townsfolk in her village and what kind of gossip people would spread about her and her family. I'm sure there were many rumors, and I'm sure each one broke her heart. I'm sure she struggled on a roller-coaster of pride and self-doubt ... one moment feeling holier and more important than everyone else; the next wondering why in the world God chose her to carry His Son. I'm sure she mourned the loss of her childhood innocence and the fact that life as she knew it would never be the same. I'm sure she waited in eager expectation, anxiously awaiting not only the birth of her son but also the salvation of the world. I'm sure she wept often, and I'm sure there were frequent moments of rejoicing. I'm sure of all these things .. but I acknowledge that these certainties (and others) only scratch the surface of Mary's unique part in the greatest story ever told.
I pray to be more like Mary. Obedient and faithful, and eager to welcome Jesus with open arms.
