Light.Bread.Wine.

Scripture

The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.’ …. ‘How will this be,’ Mary asked …., ‘since I am a virgin?’. The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God’. …. ‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered.  
(Luke 1:28-32,34,35,38 NIVUK)

Light. Bread. Wine.

It’s a season of joy and anticipation, mixed with constrictions and anxiety. Many carry on as though nothing has happened while others line up for food or medical care. Folk in Ukraine celebrate the calendar differently than we do and have assaults and occupation to endure while lighting candles of hope and celebrating “God with us”.

At the heart of the story is a young woman with youthful hope of marriage, who is enduring foreign military occupation, and gets conscripted for a higher purpose while coping with uncertain economic and political times. The other morning I listened to Mary’s conversation with an angel and wondered how we connect to this story.

Mary was the first God-bearer but we too have that experience in some mysterious way. Just as the power of the Most High overshadowed her, that shadow of love and Spirit hovers over us birthing the presence of God in us.

Mary carried Jesus in her womb for 9 months and at birth freed him to give life to the world. Jesus was Light, Bread and Wine for the world – all birthed from the body of a humble woman.

We too are God bearers, not to keep safely within us but to be freed by living lives that give light, nourishment and joy for those who come our way.

A Prayer in Imitation of Mary

Help us O God to spend time with Mary and experience her wonder, confusion and fear as her life was changed forever when her womb carried God. In some mysterious way you have placed yourself inside me to carry as she did – quietly, gently, fruitfully, and eventually painfully. Let me be gobsmacked by the wonder and mystery of it all this Christmas season …. For Jesus’ sake
(2022 Christmas Prayers for Slivers of Hope & Light our annual prayer card found here.