Luke 1:26-38
Introduction
There are certain dates or days which stick out because they mark times of great transformation – sometimes on a global scale. We are approaching the first anniversary of one such date, 26th.Dec. For thousands of people around the world, not simply in the worst affected areas, life was never going to be the same again. “9/11” has had a similar impact. More locally here in London “7/7” has had a similar impact almost totally swamping the euphoria of the successful Olympic bid. However it could be argued that the transformation associated with the Olympics will dwarf the impact of the bombs.
The point I am wanting to make is that sudden, unexpected events can have a huge, life-transforming impact such that we say “life will never be the same again”. By and large when these events happen people are just going about their daily business.
We have no idea what the day or date was when Mary was going about her daily business in Nazareth. I am fairly confident that she was just going about her daily tasks – in the Brownie’s nativity she was sweeping the floor when the angel appeared. She might just as well have been out at the market, tending the garden, washing clothes or cooking, it certainly wasn’t in the Temple or synagogue where she had this encounter. God has a wonderful way of surprising us. I am fairly confident that Jesus will not come again in glory during the season of Advent when we are most likely to be ready.
Although this was a day just like any other for Mary her life was about to be turned upside down. After this day life for her and for the whole of humanity would never be the same again. It wasn’t simply that she saw an angel – lots of people see angels – it was what the angel had to say to her. “Greetings, you who are highly favoured, the Lord is with you.” Mary is quite naturally terrified. The angel goes on to tell her that she is going to be the mother of a very special baby, that his name will be Jesus and that he will be great, the son of the most high….his kingdom will never end. “O.K. says Mary, but how when I am still a virgin?” The angel tells her that it will be by the power of the Holy Spirit…nothing is impossible with God. “I am the Lord’s servant Mary answers, let it be to me as you have said” and the angel leaves. This whole exchange can have taken a matter of seconds or minutes and yet for Mary life was never going to be the same again.
First of all Mary had the problem of explaining things to Joseph. They then have all the problems surrounding the birth in Bethlehem. Yes, Mary’s life was never going to be the same again, but it was by no means all plain sailing. She was indeed the mother of our Lord and saviour but it was going to be a costly motherhood as Simeon prophecies.
Application
This advent we have been running two advent wreaths one with the traditional representations of patriarchs, prophets, John the Baptist and Mary, the other with words associated with how we prepare for the second coming of Jesus: Watch, Anticipate, Immerse and Transformation. As she played her part in preparing for the coming of Jesus as a baby her life was transformed. As we await the coming king are we experiencing similar life transformation?
In Romans 12:1-2 Paul urges us not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds – to what extent are we experiencing such transformation? What is holding us back? How can we develop that wonderful attitude of Mary “let it be to me”?
Part of the answer lies in a third Advent – don’t worry I am not going to produce another wreath! In between the first advent of Jesus as a baby and his coming in glory Jesus comes to us by His Holy Spirit as we welcome him into our lives.