“Mary was greatly troubled at the angels’ words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.  You will conceive and give birth to a son,
and you are to call him Jesus.” – Luke 1:29-31

Hearing the news that Mary was to have a baby must have been thrilling and also terrifying.  Childbirth at that time was extremely dangerous for women.  Even today, in many places throughout the world, childbirth is still dangerous for both mother and baby.  So for Mary to respond to Angel Gabriel’s announcement in the positive manner she did, “I am the Lord’s servant.  May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38), is remarkable.  Having this baby wasn’t only a danger for her at the hands of her betrothed, Joseph (he could have had her stoned to death for unfaithfulness); but also dangerous through the very act of carrying this child and the uncertainty of a safe delivery.

God sometimes asks us to do difficult things.  I believe that part of what enabled Mary to say yes to this was the assurance that “nothing is impossible WITH God” (Luke 1:37 – emphasis added).  Gabriel assured Mary that she would never be alone in this situation.  God would be WITH her.  Even the prophecy from Isaiah 7:14 reaffirmed this promise to Joseph that this child was, “Immanuel – meaning God WITH us” (Matt. 1: 23).

This Advent and Christmas is unlike any other we have experienced before.  We are not able to decorate the whole church from top to bottom.  We can’t have a packed house on Christmas Eve.  We can’t sing together those carols we love so much.  In the midst of all the limitations, we are being called to something different, something new, something incredible.  Our sermon series this Advent “WITH US” is based on African American Christmas Spirituals, songs which may be unfamiliar.  It is our hope and desire that you would grow, learn and experience something new and different while enjoying the beloved and familiar in such a way that the old becomes new again.

When God asks us to do difficult things, what attitude guides our response?  Are we willing servants of God, or does fear and anxiety paralyze us from stepping out in faith?  May the reminder that God is WITH US strengthen and encourage us to say, “I am the Lord’s servant”, just as Mary did.

Lord, as we begin this Advent season in a year marked by much suffering and death, remind us that love is worth the cost of hope. Teach us to enact the world we hope for, we pray. Help us to live into the Hope of Advent as we wait for Jesus. Amen.