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December 2008 and January 2009
from our Reader . . .
Just supposing Mary had said “NO!”
“The angel said to her, ‘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 to me according to your word.’” Luke 1:31, 38
Supposing, just supposing, instead of agreeing to go along with God’s plan for her to become pregnant with the Son of God, Mary had said, “I’m sorry, the answer’s No! I couldn’t possible do what you’re asking of me. I’m too young; I’m not married; I wouldn’t be able to face everybody; I wouldn't cope with the shame, the questions, the responsibility, the worry, the pain, the suffering. I’m sorry, God, I won’t do it; I can’t do it.”……. What then?
There would have been no Christmas!
There would have been no baby Jesus; no wonderful teacher and healer; no crucified Saviour; no risen Christ; no ascended Lord ….. If Mary had said ‘No’.
She was just an ordinary girl from an ordinary family like most of us. When she was told that God wanted her to carry around within her his Son, she willingly accepted the task with all the consequent anxieties, hardships, pain and suffering that would come with being the mother of Jesus. And as a result, in bringing Jesus to birth, she played her part in making God’s love known to the whole world.
It is an honour for our parish church here in Marshalswick to be called after Mary. As a community of Christian believers, and as individuals, we too are invited by God to play our part in bringing Christ into the world. As Mary carried Jesus in her womb, so we may carry him within the ‘womb’ of our lives so that everywhere we go, He goes too ….. into school; to work; to the supermarket; to visit friends or neighbours; to the pub or the club. Wherever we go, whatever we do, Christ can be made known to others through us. Isn’t that an amazing thought?
We may think, “I’m not good enough; I’m not strong enough; I’m not brave enough; it’s too difficult; people will despise me; I might let God down.” The angel encouraged Mary with the promise, “Do not be afraid … The holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of God will enable you.” And Mary put her trust in that promise.
We too can ask for the Holy Spirit to come into our lives and enable us to carry the Son of God, living within us, to wherever God wants his love to be made known.
This Christmas may we respond in faith to God’s call as Mary did; “Here I am, Lord, I’m willing to be your servant and play my part in your plans for the world.”
May the grace of Christ our Saviour be with us all.
Christine |
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St Mary’s Parish Church Marshalswick, St Albans |