He is coming....

by Rianna Brazee

What did you hear?  Have you been listening?  Someone is coming!  It is a great light, it is a baby with so many names.  Listen again, people have been waiting for him, he is a special baby whose birth is announced by an angel.  Do people normally find out they are having a baby from an angel?  Do you think anyone else has ever found out this way?  Who must this baby be?  How do you think Mary felt when the angel appeared?  

“She wasn’t scared!”  one little boy proclaimed.  I wasn’t sure he had been listening, sometimes I’m not sure anyone is listening, but then he continued, “Mary’s not scared of anything!”  

And I stopped, paused to ponder this proclamation.  Mary not scared of anything?  How could she NOT be scared.  She was pregnant out of wedlock, married to a man she may not have known very well and now 9 months pregnant she has taken on something akin to the Great Race to Bethlehem.  But it’s Mary.  Mary who had God inside of her.  Whose blood and breath sustained this miracle as He crashed into our mess.  Mary.  

When the angel comes, she is concerned; she asks a question.  “How can this be?” and when she hears that, “nothing is impossible with God” she responds, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”  Mary is not scared, she is open and receives God

When Mary travels 80 some miles to visit her cousin Elizabeth and somehow she knows that Mary is pregnant, Mary isn’t indignant, she doesn’t accuse her of gossip or slander, no, instead, “ My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”  Mary is not scared or bitter, she is thankful and filled with joy.  

We don’t hear her complaining about the trip, the ride, the food, the accommodations.  We don’t hear her cursing God for her lot in life or questioning His ways.  No!  Mary is not scared, she is filled with wonder and ponders all these things in her heart.  

Little one, I think you are right, “Mary’s not scared of anything.”  

May we find His peace by uniting ourselves to Him who banishes fear and brings joy. May your Advent be a preparation for His coming, for surely HE IS COMING.