Let It Be

When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me. (Lennon/McCartney)

Let it be with me according to your word. (Luke 1:38)

Christmas is almost upon us.  Here in Omaha there’s a nice white blanket of snow on the ground. Colorful lights and decorations have been hung; the city looks ready for the holidays.  However, in many homes the mood is far from festive this year. The Coronavirus has claimed more than 300,000 lives in the United States alone.  It has also created tremendous economic upheaval and uncertainty.  Beyond the virus, some of us have lost loved ones.  All in all, 2020 has been extraordinarily difficult.  How can we receive the good news of Christmas this year?  I think the answer is by taking a close look at the first Christmas.

On its surface, the Christmas story can read like a fairy tale. It’s easy to get caught up in the more fantastic elements of the story – the angels, visions and the miraculous birth.  Greeting card illustrations aren’t terribly helpful; they make everything look peaceful and beautiful, not to mention clean.  All in all, the story seems too exotic to find any meaning for our lives today.  But, in reality this is a gritty, real world story.  For proof, all we have to do is look at Mary’s life.  Just imagine what it would have been like to be her.

Mary was a young girl – probably around 14 years old – living in the tiny, dusty, impoverished village of Nazareth in Galilee.  2,000 years ago, the region of Galilee did not enjoy the best reputation.  In fact, one of Jesus’ disciples would later ask if anything good could come out of Galilee.  Not the most promising place to begin our story, but this is where we find Mary.

As a young woman living in a patriarchal society, Mary had little to no personal rights.  Or prospects.  Life in the village changed at a very slow rate, if it changed at all.  There was no reason for Mary to think that village life would be different in the future.  The only break in the routine came from her engagement to Joseph.  She probably experienced a mixture of anxiety and excitement about leaving her parents’ home.

Then one day, a normal day like all the others, something extraordinary happened:  an angel appeared bringing the message that Mary would give birth to the Messiah, the Son of God.  Her head must have been spinning; How can this be?  Who’s going to believe me?  What will Joseph say?

It is at this point that, were I Mary, I would have opted out.  Thanks, but no thanks I would have responded.  There were just too many potential problems, not the least of which was that Mary could have been stoned to death for being pregnant before she was married.  It seems like a lot to ask anyone, let alone a 14 year old.

Thank God she was made of sterner stuff.

This coming Sunday, the last Sunday before Christmas, we hear her response:

And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
 Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
 and holy is his name.

(Luke 1:46-49)

Think about it: Out of the blue Mary gets this news that her whole life is about to be turned upside down.  Not only does she say yes, but she thanks and praises God for what is about to happen to her.  Amazing.  What an example of trust and faithfulness she would be for her son.  No wonder God chose her.

So, what does God’s choice of an obscure girl in an obscure village tell us?  It tells us that every single life has value, even those who have little worldly power.  It also tells us that God understands what it’s like to live in the real world.  God came down into the muck and messiness of real life.  Jesus would not be born in a palace or live a life of luxury.  He would be born in a stable and live as an itinerant rabbi, ultimately dying one of the most brutal deaths imaginable.  And it is here, in the pain and uncertainty of our lives that God comes down.  It is here that God says I love you. 

Life is not perfect.  It can be extraordinarily painful.  God understands that pain and because of that God sent Jesus, a savior who will always stand with us and beside us.  That is the good news of Christmas.  And for that we are able to give thanks and praise.

I love this quote by Thomas Merton:

“To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has
given us – and He has given us everything. Gratitude therefore
takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive,
is constantly awakening to new wonder and
to praise of the goodness of God.”

Remember that you are loved.  And stay well.