Mary's Christmas Story: an Advent Conversation

Mary's Christmas story Angels have a big part in the Christmas story. Mary's meeting with God's messenger Gabriel transformed her life and ours too.

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Luke 1:26-29, NRSV

The angel's words were different than any she'd heard before. When Gabriel said, "The Lord is with you." he meant it. Mary wondered what this greeting meant. God was with Mary right there in her hometown, Nazareth. Gabriel was speaking about more than just God's presence in her life. He was speaking about God revealing himself in the world through her life.

Christians believe that God is always present. There is never a time when you are out of God's reach. At home, work, school, traveling, playing, just hanging out you are always within God's reach. Mary's story starts with God's presence and grows into a story of God coming into her life and ours.

Talk it over: The angel announced God's presence to Mary; but God was already in her life. What difference did hearing the angel say the Lord is with you make to Mary? What difference does it make to know God is with you?

Think about it: God is always is close at hand. We like to have God close when we need help; but we don't God knowing our every move and thought. The God who can help you in a time of need knows every time you hurt another person through words or actions. The God close enough to help knows you in and out. Every time someone hurts you God knows. And God grieves in all situations where one of his children either hurts another of his children.

Mary's Baby: Jesus came to help us come back to God. His life and Mary's moved together so God could help us return to him,

The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”Luke 1:30-34, NRSV

Mary replied with a question, How can this be?. She didn't ask “why me?” or say no way. What's the difference between asking God how? and asking why me? or just saying no?

Mary experienced God's promises coming true. When Jesus grew in Mary God was growing in her body. When she raised him her son she was raising God the Father's son who came to help us return to our heavenly Father.

Christmas starts with God coming for us and it ends when we come back to him. Jesus, God's own Son, is the real gift of Christmas. The Christmas story ends when we turn away from things that hurt ourselves and others and return to our Father through a relationship with his Son Jesus. How can we return to the Father? How can we share the Good News that God sent his son to bring us back?

Pray if you like. Father, we thank you for Jesus. We thank you for being with us at all times. We thank you for searching us out when we leave you. We thank you for giving Jesus as a our way back to you. AMEN.

What do you think? Let me know.