Mary: The Theotokos ("Bearer of God")

One of the most beautiful and beloved stories of God's coming to dwell in our lives ...  as his children, his chosen ones ... sings right-up-off the page of our Gospel text for today.  It tells of the fullness of time when the kingdom of God begins to break in upon our advent darkness - of watching 'n waiting, of singing 'n beholding. Of a new beginning when a young girl, named Mary says "Amen" to God's angelic Announcement"  ... So, why do we love this story so much?  Perhaps it's because in this story, we're able to hear how it is that we too are loved unconditionally by God's favor.  Or, that we, like Mary - a common peasant girl - are given the courage to say "Yes" to the very best gift of all: God's coming to dwell with us, in us, and through us ... in the great joy of being able to bear/share the good news of Christ's birth.  "Glory to God in the highest ... AND ... on earth, peace among all people, with whom God is well pleased" (Luke 2:14).

Meister Eckhart, the medieval mystic - a favorite of Martin Luther - once penned these very provocative words, words that connect the Gospel Word with our lives this day.  Listen in carefully ... "[With Mary] we are all meant to be 'bearers of God's word' (theotokoi) ... [For] what good is it to me for the Creator to give birth to his Son if I do not also give birth to him in my time and place?  This, then, is the fullness of time. Wen the Son of God is begotten in and through us."

                                          j.r. christopherson
Senior Pastor