Do we believe that God
still interrupts people’s lives to work through them?[i]
Do we believe that God
still works through people for the good of the world?
Often when I have
preached on the passage we have just heard; I focus on Mary’s song. It is a
wonderful, powerful, revolutionary set of words. It has been banned at times because
it has inspired people to stand up to corrupt governments.[ii]
this morning we will do
an imagining exercise. I am going to address some parts of the passage to you
·
Sit comfortably
·
Breathe in; out; in; out
·
The Lord is with you.”
·
“You are
truly blessed!
·
The Lord is with you.”
·
·
How do you feel? What is it like hearing those
words?
·
·
Don’t be afraid! God is pleased with
you.”
·
“Don’t be afraid! God is pleased
with you.”
·
·
What comes to mind?
·
What does God say to you?
·
How do you respond?
·
·
“The Holy Spirit will come down to you,
and God’s power will come over you”
·
When have
you done something you didn’t think you could do? Was God part of that?
It is easy to think that
miracles no longer exist.
It is easy to believe in
a God who cares and died to save us.
But a God who is part of
our lives, interfering in our lives, that is harder to believe.
Surely if God was going
to give someone a special job, like giving birth to the saviour of the world,
it would be someone special. That isn’t the story we have.
I know for me, I find it
easy to think that God could use other people rather than me, people who are
kinder, or more patient, or more trusting in God, but that isn’t how God works.
Mary, a young woman, is
greeted by an angel,
By the way – angles are God’s
messengers, and not necessarily cute.
Mary, a young woman, is
greeted by an angel,
She is baffled and
confused
Am I am hearing things?
Why me?
Then the message about
having a child
And Mary says – it is
not possible
And she is correct
It is not possible to
give birth to a child without a mingling if egg and sperm. Even a young woman
2000 years ago knew enough science to know you don’t get pregnant on your own.
There is an old chorus, “Nothing
is impossible when you put your trust in God,”. I think too often we take that
to mean God will do anything we want God to do.
From today’s reading I
think it means we can do anything God gives us to do.
Have a child in old age
Give birth as a virgin
I look around the room
and I ma aware that there are people who have raised children not their own
There are people who are
surf lifesavers and paramedics
There are people who
listen to those who need someone safe to talk to
There are people who visit,
who work in op shops, who do all sort of amazing things.
Do you believe that God
loves you?
Do you believe that God
looks on you with love?
Do you believe that God
works through you and others for the good of creation?
Do you believe that God
is still active, in large and small ways, in the mundane and the miraculous? [iii]
We have been reading
passages from the Old Testament for a few months. Sometimes it seems like the birth
of Jesus is the finale of the story – the long-awaited Messiah is born.
But it isn’t the end of
the story. It is part of the story of God’s ongoing relationship with people
and all creation.
God doesn’t stop being involved
in people’s lives when Jesus is born.
God continues to
interrupt our lives.
God continues to send
people into our lives with messages of hope for us.
God continues to send
people into our lives with stories of God’s activity.
Think - how many wonderful
things there are that God wants to accomplish
through us.[iv]
·
Mary is confused by the angel’s greeting
·
Then she considers his words
·
Queries them
·
And accepts that God can do what is impossible for
mortals
This Christmas, or maybe
Boxing Day, I encourage you to think about
·
the times when God has interfered in your life
·
When God has sought you out, given you the ability
to do what you thought you could not.
Who have been God’s
messengers in your life, angels speaking words of hope and words of challenge
to you?
Do we believe that God
still interrupts people’s lives to work through them?[v]
Do you believe that God
has worked, and continues to work in your life?
[i]
http://www.workingpreacher.org/craft.aspx?post=1611
[ii]
Spill the beans
[iii]
http://www.workingpreacher.org/craft.aspx?post=1611
[iv]
http://www.workingpreacher.org/craft.aspx?post=1611
[v]
http://www.workingpreacher.org/craft.aspx?post=1611
