For these last few devotions of the Advent season, we turn to classic spiritual themes that are highlighted in the Magnificat, the Song of Mary.
We start with the Beatles:
When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
After Gabriel has visited Mary, the story of the annunciation concludes, “Let it be with me according to your word.”
So, an important theme as we come to the end of our spiritual preparations for Christas is surrender. Let it be. Acceptance. Yes, we have our plans. Mary was a poor young woman from a small village but still she undoubtedly had plans and dreams for her life. Yet when confronted by God’s agenda, she surrenders. Let it be. She does not fight or contest God’s plans as many male prophets have done before her. No, she submits. Surrenders.
We can spend a lot of energy – spiritual, physical, emotional, verbal – countering God’s plans and intentions for our lives. We are masters of making excuses. Offering counter strategies. Scheming our dreams. All the while ignoring or combatting what God is trying to do in our lives.
How can this be a season of surrender for us? When we simply say to God’s dream for our world, for our lives, Let it be. To the God of justice. Let it be. To the God of the nonviolent Jesus. Let it be. To the God whose love confronts at every turn in the natural world. Let it be.
Prayer: Advent was once called ‘the little Lent.’ In this holy season, may we re-turn our lives to God. Let it be. 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 