Thursday in the Fourth Week of Advent, Year B
24 December 2020
Faithful Submission
Reading: Luke 1: 26-38
Scripture: “The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.” 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.” (Luke 1: 30 – 31, 38)
Reflection: The mystery of the Virgin Birth laid bare! “You will conceive in your womb and bear a son and you will name him Jesus…and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of his ancestor David.” The unmistakable thread of continuity in the assigned Scripture readings throughout this Christmas Week, is clear. We move from the account of God’s covenant to David in 2 Samuel: 7, through to the song of praise in Psalm 89 for God’s faithfulness to David and his descendants, to Paul’s preaching in his letter to the Romans of the fulfillment of God’s promise to His people, manifested in the Messiah, Jesus Christ and finally to the announcement by the holy angel of the conception and birth of Christ.
To us believers, the divinity of Jesus is a tenet or foundation of our Faith. Jesus is part of the Godhead and His assumption of human form, for the purpose of demonstrating through His Life and witness, a new pathway to God, was indeed necessary. Mary was chosen as the vessel through whom the ‘humanization’ of God would take place. And she, though perplexed and frightened, humbly submitted to God’s will, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word”, said Mary.
Can we, like Mary, with complete faith submit to the will of God, leaving our comfort zones, and all that is materially important to us, in obedience to His call? Can we believe and trust in Him, that He will see us through these challenging times? Can we like Joseph, put aside our fears and dutifully follow the instructions of the whispering voice of our conscience? Can we, like the shepherds and the Magi from the East leave all and bow down in worship of the new-born King, the promised Messiah? Let us prepare in our hearts a home “where such a mighty guest may come” (CPWI Hymnal #42)
Meditation: On this Christmas Eve, we thank God for the wonderful gift of the Lord Jesus, who took on human form and experienced human frailties, joys and sorrows.
Prayer: Holy Mary, mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ, teach us to be humble and submissive as you were; to recognize, accept and submit to God’s call when it comes. Holy Mother, pray for us sinners, now and evermore, Amen.
St. Jude’s Church
Stony Hill
Anglican Diocese of Jamaica and The Cayman Islands
24 December 2020
