I identify with Mary. Her humiliation became her blessing and her shame her crown. However, we get the end of the story. I imagine her in the beginning of her pregnancy, all alone in her faith. I want to live like I am at the beginning of the story - alone in faith, alone with God. I am trying to look around for the elderly who have lost loved ones in the recent months, the mentally ill who often wind up alone during the holidays and not those I feel I need as much as those who need me. I want to claim this Christ - mass even in the flurry of commercialism. I live near NYC where the tree burned down yesterday, yet we can still sing our welcome songs to the Christ Child.
I appreciate what you express Gretchen. A friend recently pointed out to me that Mary's response to the Angel was not some passive resignation. It is better translated as, “If at all possible, let it be.” Mary's humility led her to respond in faith; she embraced God's will. No wonder she hurried to see Elizabeth. So, may God truly help you to find those who are hurting--those who are so often neglected. This is surely what faith does.
I think the story of the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20 is most meaningful this year to me. I don't know why but as you say they were "ruffians on the margins of society." But God made them first to hear the announcement of the great news of salvation and made them first to see the Messiah. To me this means God loves and cares for those who are on the margins of society. We who claim to follow the Lord Jesus Christ should too.
Merry Christmas to you and yours Mr. Moore. And thank you for your posts. They have been great!
A blessed Christmas to you as well Tom. Let us look forward to the New Year and help each other along the way.
I identify with Mary. Her humiliation became her blessing and her shame her crown. However, we get the end of the story. I imagine her in the beginning of her pregnancy, all alone in her faith. I want to live like I am at the beginning of the story - alone in faith, alone with God. I am trying to look around for the elderly who have lost loved ones in the recent months, the mentally ill who often wind up alone during the holidays and not those I feel I need as much as those who need me. I want to claim this Christ - mass even in the flurry of commercialism. I live near NYC where the tree burned down yesterday, yet we can still sing our welcome songs to the Christ Child.
I appreciate what you express Gretchen. A friend recently pointed out to me that Mary's response to the Angel was not some passive resignation. It is better translated as, “If at all possible, let it be.” Mary's humility led her to respond in faith; she embraced God's will. No wonder she hurried to see Elizabeth. So, may God truly help you to find those who are hurting--those who are so often neglected. This is surely what faith does.
I think the story of the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20 is most meaningful this year to me. I don't know why but as you say they were "ruffians on the margins of society." But God made them first to hear the announcement of the great news of salvation and made them first to see the Messiah. To me this means God loves and cares for those who are on the margins of society. We who claim to follow the Lord Jesus Christ should too.
Merry Christmas to you and yours Mr. Moore. And thank you for your posts. They have been great!