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26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

 

It is kind of odd having a Christmas text close to Easter. As I am writing this, it is not even the New Year yet, so the telling of these same words in worship still sits fresh in my mind. As you read this amid Lent, preparing for Easter, listen to the words of Mary: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” We hear these same words in the Old Testament when Samuel hears God calling to him in the temple. Here I am. In both cases, these young people are being called into serving God in ways they cannot imagine.

 

Is God calling you?

 

Are you listening to that call?

 

It is easy to block God for a while. We can keep ourselves busy or delude ourselves that we must get ourselves together before we are ‘ready’ to serve God. I know that the older I get, the more set in my ways I become. It takes more energy and will to move myself into something new. But maybe we should be more like Mary and be willing to take that step of faith into God’s vision. We proclaim a God who loves us and who can do all things. If we truly believe these things, doesn’t it seem a little silly to no respond with “Here I am” when God call?

 

Holy Spirit, fill my heart, mind, and soul so that I can hear your call for my life. Amen.

 

Chad Ryberg Cryberg@livinglord.org

 

Prayer Concern: Friendship for those who are lonely