The Nativity Story: The Faith of Mary by C

Advent 4C

Dec= ember 20, 2009

Rev Ken Wratten at St Stephen’s, Sa= n Jose

Hebrews 10:5-10

Luke 1:39-49

How well do you handle having your plans changed?

You are rushing to meet an appointment but your car breaks down.

You have almost enough money saved for a vacation but your refrigerator stops refrigerating.

You meet someone you see yourself spending your life with, but over issues that really matter, your relationship breaks apart.

How should Christians face the changes that happen to our plans?

I am sure that Elizabeth’s pregnancy ma= de her think about the plans she had made. She was suddenly no longer on the path = to rest and retirement in her ‘golden years’, or even on a path th= at included sleeping in. In her old age she was going to be the mother of a ba= by boy; and not just any baby boy. Elizabeth was carrying John; w= hom an angel announced to Zechariah would prepare the way for the Messiah. This pl= an of God’s opened a whole new chapter in Elizabeth’s life. She wa= s directly engaged in God’s plan that would change the world.

Mary’s pregnancy certainly had to make her think about the plans she had made. The angel Gabriel had told Mary that she would bear a son, even though she wasn’t married yet. That alone would change some plans, don’t y= ou think? But on top of that new= s, she was told that her boy would be called the Son of God.

Mary might have thought about why God would pick her to fulfill this mira= cle birth (Shouldn’t God choose somebody stronger, older, more - ready?).= Then she must have thought about the connection she now shared with her cousin Elizabeth. Their future sons were in the lead roles of God’s own plan, and so they had been chosen above all other women on earth, to be the human links for this Godly plan. Both of them were directly engaged in God’s plan.

Elizabeth greeted her cousin M= ary with praise and honor; saying “Blessed are you among women”. Her greeting was the same one Gabr= iel used to greet Mary, “Rejoice, favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed a= re you among women!” Mary = deserves our praise and honor for signing up without a second thought to leave her own plans behind, and to take on God’s plan.

Mary and Elizabeth knew that their plans were being changed, but for the best reason; so that God’s plan could take over in their life. Consider Ma= ry and Elizabeth when your plans change. Consider the new direction you are be= ing pointed to by change. Consider whether these changes are happening so that God’s plan could take over your life. Consider whether your response should be the same as Mary’s response, “I am the Lord’s, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say. (MSG)̶= 1;

Maybe our plans change to make room for God’s plan.

The author of the letter to the Hebrews said; ‘We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ.’ You and I have already been sanctified. By our faith = we have been made holy – we have been set apart for God’s purpose,= to be agents of transformation. Through our faith in Jesus Christ, you and I a= re directly engaged in God’s plan.

Christmas is not just a birthday party for Jesus; it is celebration of the transforma= tion that Jesus has brought to us. Mary and Elizabeth recognized the blessing it= was to be chosen by God. Do you a= nd I really accept that we are the man-power and woman-power in God’s plan to transform the world? Consider the lives we have changed; through SMUM, in t= he Sudan, in the Caribbean, among the homeless,= and in each other. What higher ho= nor and blessing could there be? = What greater reason could there be for us to be bold in our faith?

Elizabeth felt her unborn son leap for joy: We have reas= on on this Sunday before Christmas to leap for joy. God has included you and me i= n the transformation plan that re-connects every person on earth to Him in a relationship based in agape love. Our hearts leap for joy in this season because we are reminded that with God all things are possible. Our hearts leap for joy because of the gift of the baby born in the manger who brings hope, peace, love and joy into ou= r imperfect world. We leap for joy - b= ecause our savior comes. Amen.