As we approach the end of Advent for this year, our focus might be upon which presents have we yet to buy? Have we bought sufficient food? – the answer is probably yes, we may not really need those 2 or 3 cartons of cream and that 2 lb Christmas pud. Christmas is very much seen in the media about presents, food and parties. This isn’t a message of being a killjoy but what is the reason for the season? I’ve read that it is all about love; hence the debate a fortnight ago about who you should or should not snog under the mistletoe. If our journey through Advent has brought one thing to mind it may be that there is more than just a turkey cutlet, a Christmas cracker, the umpteenth present of socks or perfume which gives us a meaning to this season.
A Chance Encounter
In the Gospel passage (Luke 1: 39-45) we hear of a chance meeting of Elizabeth and Mary. Here a woman of some years, considered barren, criticised by her peers for not being able to continue her husband’s family line, who has just announced that she is with child. Here’s a description of Zech and Liz, as the locals might. have known them. Possibly Elizabeth may be so relieved that she is finally pregnant. Her life has been one of gossip, as she could never seem to provide that family line for Zechariah, her priestly husband. Everyone in the local area would point and wonder about what was wrong with her…why couldn’t it also be about Zechariah…and perhaps it just wasn’t meant to be. And having children was never linked to being good – there was never a connection!
And another women, much younger, much much younger, who is also surprisingly with child. From very different perspectives these ladies meet up – cousins with so much to say but without much sense of understanding all that is happening. Is this meeting up the meaning to this season? They could be both be the centre of ridicule from others.
What did they talk about?
Their attention could be to fight fire with fire and make accusations about the others, to criticise those who criticise them and feel good about it, but No. It is all about the joy of their expected children, the fulfilment of God’s promises to them. There’s a common pulse running between them, it would seem that their heartbeats are interlinked! They are both overjoyed even if they can’t make sense of the recent history. The present has usurped the past – not re-written, just given greater emphasis.
John who will be born first, but John will serve Jesus who is younger – contrary to everything of that day, and possibly even today. John will bring about the end of one period of worship to God, whilst Jesus will herald a new age. Is this the meaning to this season?
How is the expectant Mother Mary?
In good singing form, if the Gospel writer has anything to convey, Mary sings her praise to God. This passage is also known as the Magnificat. Whereas many Gospel passages tell of what God may do, Mary sings of what God has done. Her confidence in all that God has done and will do is palpable. But let’s put this into some perspective.
Mary didn’t just take this news of being pregnant with a quiet ….ok, whatever.
She responded with that response (Luke 1:34) “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”
I have to stop here and give some clarity. In Matthew’s Gospel the word virgin is widely accepted now to be a mistranslation from the Hebrew. The word ‘almah’ from Isaiah means ‘young women’. When the translators were working hard, converting the Hebrew to the Greek, this word almah became parthenos, which does mean virgin. Some have said it is akin to translating a high school student to teenager. It was very much the same, but in this case, today, it means oh so much more. We might wish to note how the readers at the time thought about it, in that context. Did they make so much of the focus as of a virgin? Ah, so is this the important aspect to the meaning to this season?
Mary’s response could well be one of justified astonishment even disbelief. This news is more than grand breaking but possibly dangerous for her. Joseph speaks of this as becoming pregnant outside of marriage meant punishment and probably stoning.
Levelling up?
Mary has a choice to go deep inside of herself or take it on face value and trust in God. Mary sees the possibilities not only for her son but for the world. Her dream has been realised. She can now see that through Jesus her world, our world, will be turned upside down.
Those that are hungry will be fed, the powerless will be empowered. Now that’s “levelling up the country” for you!
What’s our response?
Perhaps as we journey through Advent and approach the climax of Christmas we may wish to pause and ponder on what has happened this year to us. What shocks have occurred, possibly even travesties that have ripped into us, but God has remained so close to us throughout. As Mary recognises the possibilities for the future she responds with thanks to God. We may still recognise the pain, still ever present, but there is hope. Mary will always remember that time when betrothed to Joseph and then being told this earth shattering news. Mary can now walk with that news, and look to see where God is asking of her. Can we accept the pain of the past but walk onwards – not ignoring that pain, but knowing that God is very much alongside us, and will be always.
Here’s a very modern take on Mary receiving the news from the Angel in her charity shop… Is this a new take on the Is this the meaning to the season? https://vimeo.com/490345890
Micah’s Nativity
Micah is an angry prophet. In just 7 chapters he includes compassion, justice, peace and a whole lot about the Messiah. His farming background ensures that he can see that disparity between the rich and the poor. In a later Chapter Micah tears into those who focusses on minor issues when injustice ravages the land. What Micah does do is to give a promise that God is here to his people, has a plan, and that rule will come from Bethlehem, bringing peace. Of course the birth doesn’t fit the standard plans for great Messiah’s. Micah tells, in Micah 5:2-5a, that Jesus will be born in a small place off the beaten track known as Bethlehem, and Mary & Joseph aren’t great notable figures of the past.
The Messiah is one who will deliver God’s people from the tyranny of other opposing nations, bring justice and peace, and rule. It could be any previous king. But Jesus speaks for the marginalised. He’s known as the Shepherd not the oppressor, the mighty conqueror.
So who is the Messiah to us?
No, that’s not one of those Sunday school questions where you know the answer must be either the Donkey or more probably Jesus. Who is our Messiah?
Who is the one we are drawn to speak with? Whom does our country need? Will they be found in London, Washington DC or Moscow?
As we approach Christmas perhaps pondering on such thoughts might help us to give clarity to the season. We could focus upon the presents and food I mentioned earlier, …or would that be making our expectations, or the expectations of others, the top of the list for our wants? Surely going to visit our families or friends is about being with them, not being so anxious over whether we have brought the most expensive present for them? Can we this year, refocus our thoughts upon the Saviour? Let’s not get too focussed upon the twee Nativity scene, the complications in the different stories from the Gospel of Luke and Matthew with the translations I have mentioned.
Can we see others through the eyes of God and Jesus in every one? Mary did. She saw a new world through God’s perspective, as did Elizabeth; young and old alike, they were capable, as are we. Is this the meaning to the season?
After such a different Christmas last year, allowing God to help us see others might make this a very different Christmas this year.
I found it very interesting