Imago Adventus - 22 - Space
Luke 1:26-38 - Space
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 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. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 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. 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. For nothing will be impossible with God.” 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
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I have said it myself and I have heard others say it too…We’re waiting to have kids until we’re financially ready to have kids. Another way of saying it is, “We’re waiting until everything is all figured out” or “we’re waiting until life isn’t so busy…” I had others respond to me and I have said it as well…you’re never fully ready…you’re never fully financially set…life will never fully fall into place…never. But there’s always space for love.
Things were by no means “all set” for Mary when she got this news - Far from it. Yet, there was space. There was space that came for her and Joseph to welcome this child into the world. There was space for love in their lives.
Space is hard to find for each of us - whether its for a child to come into our lives, or for finding a quiet time to set aside to be with God, or for having the time for our families that we know they need and we want to share, or for sharing with others the grace and love we have received. But I have found that we can make space and God honors that commitment in our lives as we say with Mary, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”
Quick sidenote - this is my favorite Nativity that we have ever owned. I purchased it from a store in Cambodia whose proceeds go to help rescue women and children from slavery. Reminds me each year that Christ came to proclaim freedom not just for the life to come, but the life now as well for ALL people.