Last Sunday we talked about Mary, the mother of Jesus, who may have been as young as 13 or 14 when the angel Gabriel came to visit.  She faced such a difficult choice, knowing that the world would not understand her pregnancy; knowing that she might be ostracized or cast out of her family or even be stoned to death on the grounds of infidelity to her fiancée.

It is a miracle she was able to say yes; to respond to the angel with these words, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord, let it be with me according to your word.”

I think that is a word for us in this Christmas season, when we are tempted to turn over all our time and energy and money and resources to put gifts under the tree, instead of offering our hearts to God; when we are tempted to focus on presents instead of the Presence that will be with us always, the Presence of God made real in a baby in a manger, Jesus, Emmanuel, “God with us.”

So next time you notice your credit card heating up, and you find yourself trying to justify buying one more thing that you didn’t plan to buy; when you find yourself deciding to give up worship for a holiday party; when you feel too tired to pray, remember Mary.  Take a deep breath, and borrow her words, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord.  Let it be with me according to your word.”  Give your heart and life to God, not to the merchants at the mall.  Invite your family to join you in reclaiming the truth:  Jesus IS the reason for the season.  Let’s not forget.

I’ll see you at the place of Presence Sunday to pray, and listen, and sing, and praise, and be blessed.

Grace and Peace

Pastor Deborah