“The Spirit of Wonder“, by Rev. Mike Holly
Sermon Series: The Christmas Spirit
Do you know what people like? Comfort. Familiarity. My father-in-law travels regularly as part of his job and he has a difficult time adjusting to life on the road. He would rather be at home in his own bed and being with his family. On the rare occasions where I travel for continuing education, I know how he feels.
We are drawn to familiarity because we enjoy not having to worry or fret about what is ahead. When we first meet Mary, she is swooped up from any comfortable life she might have had by an unfamiliar person: the angelic messenger Gabriel.
Mary is called to become mother to this promised Messiah. She displays an openness to God’s asking through Gabriel — an openness to something that is amazing and wonderful. No doubt, Mary was frightened and unsure about what was ahead. In the mist of uncertainty, wonder causes us to take the next faithful step trusting in God’s goodness and mercy.
~Mike Holly
The Word
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. 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?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
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