This is a reprint of a blog from Ben Cremer that my daughter sent me. It was so good, I wanted to share it. Merry Christmas!
| I want to invite you to read our short passage from Luke today and to do so slowly and thoughtfully. As you read it, maybe write down thoughts that come to your mind, even if it is just one word. Think about how this passage makes you feel. Reflect on the thoughts that come to mind about your life, your past, and your future. Think about the big picture of the world. Reflect on what it causes you to think about regarding our world today and its future. Take as much time as you need before moving on to my thoughts. Luke 1:39-55 New International Version Mary Visits Elizabeth 39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Mary’s Song 46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” My Reflections The Christmas narrative has become very important to me in recent years. Upon studying it more deeply, I realized how sanitized it often is portrayed in our culture today. So much so in fact that it loses its ability to speak to us in our moments that are far from “merry and bright.” Most of the nativity scenes we put up around our churches, our homes, and public settings depict figures in royal clothing, crisply clean, and often very European looking. So far from a middle eastern family, tired and dirty from desert travel, desperately looking for shelter. Take for example how “troubling” Mary found the request from God to bear a son while she was a virgin and unmarried. (Luke 1:29) I didn’t fully realize the gravity of her situation facing her with this request from God until I read Deuteronomy 22:20-21, which says: “However, if the claim is true and proof of the young woman’s virginity can’t be produced, then the city’s elders will bring the young woman to the door of her father’s house. The citizens of that city must stone her until she dies because she acted so sinfully in Israel by having extramarital sex while still in her father’s house. Remove such evil from your community!” This was seen as “God’s law” in her time and place. Saying “yes” to this request meant that she was potentially going to be seen as breaking the law and risking her very life. She would be claiming to be pregnant because of God all while being unmarried. Who would believe her? How would her father and the elders of her community react? All this and more must have been running through her mind even as Gabriel tried to reassure her that God has “found favor” with her. Even in the midst of this great risk though, Mary trusted and said “yes” to this massive request from God on her life. Brave and courageous to say the least. Perhaps she was encouraged by the reality that God flouted the patriarchal requirements of her time and instead of sending Gabriel to her Father for his permission over this kind of union with her, as would be the custom of her time, God sent Gabriel directly to her for her consent to these potential plans. She could certainly see that she was “highly favored” by God. I then notice who she chose to tell first about her news. She doesn’t hurry to Jospeh or to her parents. No, she makes the journey to the hill country of Judea. She travels to tell one of the only people who would understand and believe her particular situation. Another pregnant woman. Her cousin Elizabeth, who was also six months along with her own divinely ordained pregnancy. Mary not only traveled to someone she knew who would “get it” but to understand Elizabeth’s experience as well. I think there is such a lesson here for us today. First, how listening to, believing, and trusting women about their lived experiences is so important in our world today. Second, in our highly individualistic and isolated culture, how often do we make the effort to go visit with someone and be present with them? Share our circumstances and hear theirs as well? In our world of quick texts or phone calls, there is something still so powerful about making the effort to be present with someone, to hear them and to truly be heard. I think we need more of that. I then notice the powerful conversation between Mary and Elizebeth. There is so much “past tense” in their words but they have such a present tense impact for their time and for ours. Their discourse creates an already/not yet reality. We hear what God has done for the lowly and the poor in the past with the emphasis that this is the same God them here and now and that God is a God of mercy and will continue to work for them in the present and future. As we see in the resulting joy that come from these moments and the events months after, this movement of God is a reason to hope and even praise! I just find the picture of two pregnant women in the middle of occupied territory, ruled by wealthy tyrants who have and will continue to wreak havoc on them and their land, still choosing to mightily praise God for the coming downfall of evil and lavish mercy for the poor and the humble so utterly powerful and so utterly relevant for our time. It is no wonder their shouts of praise quickly became contagious throughout their land. I want that kind of contagious praise for us today too. It is this kind of foundation I need moving forward into the year ahead. The foundation where I remember the past, not just in scripture and in history, but those times in my own life where God really has shown up, brought mercy, and delivered me. This is the resistance I need in our world right now. The resistance together with God against the evil use of wealth and power that seems so prevalent in our time. This is the rejoicing I need to hold onto as I face an uncertain future. Rejoicing that God truly is a steadfast God of mercy and is even now on the move on behalf of the poor and most vulnerable. I need to learn the rhythm of remember, resist, and rejoice. I think this is a message a lot of us need right now. May the week ahead bring with it a rebirth and renewal of hope, peace, joy, and love in your life in such an abundant way that you cannot help but share it with others. |
Reflections of a Counselor 
Amen this message is so prfound
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