There is a tradition that the angel Gabriel approached other women before he finally got a ‘YES!’ from Mary of Nazareth. We can imagine the angel going to a young woman in one town and being turned way. We can imagine Gabriel going to someone in another village and being ignored. Indigestion, maybe? Finally, Gabriel is sent to Mary of Nazareth and she accedes to God’s plan. Perhaps to Gabriel’s great relief. He can move on to another assignment?
We can imagine that over these speculative visits, Gabriel hones his pitch. Maybe he started with something like, Has God got a plan for you! Or, This is YOUR lucky day! Maybe he tried, Brace yourself, it’s going to be a wild ride! What we finally get is something like: Rejoice, highly favored one! God is with you! Blessed are you among women! It’s a lot of pious flattery, yes. Mary is still deeply troubled, so Gabriel goes on, Don’t be afraid, Mary.
Mary knows that God has amazing plans and dreams to bless humanity. She knows this from hearing the reading of the Hebrew scriptures and the promises of peace and plenty. She knows of God’s commitment to justice. And she knows from scripture that God’s plans and dreams come to fruition when human beings of faith submit themselves to God’s will and God’s intentions. Abraham and Sarah had to leave home and seek out a new land. Moses had to go back to Egypt to free the slaves.
Mary knows her people are living in a time of great oppression by the Roman Empire. And God desires their freedom. So when the angel comes, she is reticent at first but she agrees to be an agent of God’s intentions.
God has hopes and dreams for this world. We celebrate hope, peace, joy and love this precious season. We celebrate new birth. And the promise of liberation. But people in today’s world are still needed to say yes to giving their lives to God’s dreams and intentions. People are still needed to stand up to the rich and the powerful leaders who abuse the poor. Someone still needs to fill the hungry with good things.
Is that someone one you? Me? Or is someone else going to do it?
Prayer: In our quiet moments this advent season, may we be attentive to how we are needed to make the hopes and dreams of God a reality. We may even hear a brush of angel’s wings! Amen.
This devotion was prepared by Rev. Kim P. Wells, pastor of Lakewood United Church of Christ in St. Petersburg, FL.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 