The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. Luke 1:26-27
God is good, all the time.
Friends: I recently listened to an MPR interview with a guy who has been to space. I was fascinated by what he said, that, it is gorgeous to look at the earth from space. Everything about it looks fantastic, which one can't help but admire. I believe God feels the same way about us. He continually watches and sees us on earth as He advances His plans, thoughts, and actions towards us.
In today's gospel, God sends the angel Gabriel to the earth, to a young woman named Mary, living in Nazareth, in Galilee. A complicated message is delivered to her that she would become the mother of God's son, who would be given David's throne. Such a complex message would overwhelm anyone in Mary's situation. She was unmarried; the Babylonians had destroyed David's dynasty in 587BC, so that at the angel dispatched the news to her, there were no Jewish kings. All these circumstances made the message of the angel convoluting, which she didn't have much time to mull over. But Mary said yes to it instantly; she did it for us.
If we circle back to the promise of the Davidic kingdom, we notice from the first reading that it came in response to David's desire and initiative to build a house for the Ark of the Lord. David was a man who loved holy meditation, exercise of devotion, and other good considerations. You certainly know that his personal reflections produced most of the 150 Psalms in the Bible.
David recognized and attributed the blessings of his household and the successful consolidation of Israel's entire kingdom under his rule to God. So, he intended to build a temple for the Lord. But God instead promised him a house and an heir to his throne.
Two lessons are related to all these: God deals in humble circumstances. First, David, Joseph, Mary were all people from humble backgrounds, yet God picked them up to announce and do his work on the earth, and he made them greater and happier. Second, God doesn't follow our time. The promise He made to David came to pass after David's dynasty was long destroyed without any trace. God doesn’t quit his promises.
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, we should remember that, like Mary, God is looking each day on us; His love reaches each of us, and his time to act towards us in specific needs or areas of concern will undoubtedly come. Just be patient and celebrate Christmas with holy hope and courage.
Prayer blessings: Devoted to us as a Father, we ask you to give us the holy courage and patience to wait for your holy will to occur in our daily lives. Enfold us with your love; let both extraordinary and simple works in our lives be enjoyed with praise to you. Amen.