Luke 1:39-55
Mary's call is our call. Have your prepared a place for the Christ child? This is what Advent is about. We used to think it was all about repentance in order to prepare. Then we changed to waiting, but it isn't any of the above. It is about accepting God's call in our life and preparing to be changed by this call when we fully live into it.
This is what incarnation is all about. We become the hands and feet of this song Mary sings to her cousin Elizabeth. What gifts have we been preparing to welcome Christ in?
We have tended to think, for years, that the only calls are to those who lead up front. This is not so. We all have been given gifts. Gifts of ears to listen, gifts of wealth to help others, gifts of true kindness, gifts of joy, the gift of peace. All these are gifts, fruits of the Spirit as Paul calls them, how have we given of these gifts?
Last night we watched the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and there Christmas performance. Always toward the end of the concert they tell a story. Last night it was of the writer Victor Hugo. Did you know what gift he gave freely of? His wealth and money were given to have a feast every year in his house at Christmas. All the street children would be invited. They came and ate all they wanted and every year it grew. More and more came to be fed at this welcome table.
This is a gift. It is how we prepare a room within ourselves. We don't expect others to do it. We don't wait on the right time, or more room, or more help. His family was one servant and five people, yet they welcomed 30 in the end to their house for a feast!
What is the gift God has given you? What do you need to do to prepare the room of welcoming in the Child? The story last night ended with the feasting table becoming a creche and all adored and basked in its light. They reached out to one another as they gathered there. This is what the story is all about. How will you mirror this in your life?
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