A Weary World Rejoices - Five Days of Preparing Your Heart for ChristmasSample

Read Luke 1:26-38 noticing the attitude with which Mary receives the angel’s news.

Graced. 

I’m not sure that’s technically a verb but it should be. It’s that state of being utterly overwhelmed by a kindness generously lavished on you and knowing that nothing within you even begins to merit it. Nothing you have, nothing you do, nothing you are matches up in the least with the gift that’s been given. There is a crystal clear recognition of the absolute impossibility of closing that gap. It is permanent and you are left sitting helplessly in this knowing.

Grace upon grace. Mary’s words lend such accurate expression to her experience of being graced. “You have looked and seen me, graced me…and that tells me more about who You are!” The gift of being graced points to the One who gives. I can just picture the process. The eyes of God searching the world and lighting upon Mary. The finger of God reaching out, touching under Mary’s chin. “Mary…” spoken so tenderly while turning her head to look into His eyes. And the depths of love she finds so infinitely mirrored within them.

A Savior. The Savior. Inside of her womb. She touches her stomach. The Spirit again brooding, forming, at work beneath the surface. To carry His Presence. Who was she? Who was she?!! Yet, knowing Him enables courageous trust. Her readily willing response makes it seem she has developed a strong muscle of dependence on Him. She will face others’ misunderstanding, wrong assumptions, disapproving judgment and false accusations. And He will be enough to fill her 'not enough.'

Read Luke 1:39-55 paying attention to the reasons for Mary’s praise. 

Mary has had time now to walk through her hometown village and see heads bent together, scornful looks cast her way. I’m sure it hurt. Didn’t these people know her well enough to believe the best about her? I can imagine her heart and mind were full as she journeyed to meet Elizabeth.

Immediately upon her arrival, Mary receives Elizabeth’s exuberant confirmation of God’s presence within her. Graced again, she is reminded of who this God is and a song rises up and bursts from her lips.

This God! This God! The great Reverser of all human striving and grasping. The Feast of Fullness set before humble, hungering hands. 

Grace upon grace, she worships. This God, her God. 

And her heart is filled with joy.

Sitting with self: 

How readily do you receive undeserved gifts? What might be holding you back from having a heart posture that embraces being graced?

Sitting with God:

We walk so sacredly, tenderly upon the stepping stones of Your Power, Oh God,  recognizing our frailty fraught with sin. At the same moment I experience Your great pleasure and rise up to wield Your power, I am ever mindful of Your all-encompassing grace and my slightest turn towards self. All is gift and undeserved.  All is mercy and full of love. I sit, palms up, to receive, yes, even to embrace Your grace this season.

Sitting with others:

What would it be like for you to truly receive from others this season? Uncomfortable? Commit yourself to taking your time with all kinds of gifts you might receive this season. Slow down to really look at them. Ponder. And allow yourself to sit with grace..