A friend of mine posted this video on facebook earlier tonight. As I was watching it, I was hit so hard by the profound effect that had on me. Watch it…
I read the Christmas story over and over and over again during Advent. My favorite part is Mary’s song of praise. She says, “I’m bursting with God-news, I’m dancing the song of my Savior God.” It’s my favorite part because she is more courageous than I could ever dream of, but at the same time, everything I try and be– “the Lord’s maid, ready to serve.” The truth is I fall very, very far from her.
Still, I try put myself in her position; engaged to Joseph. In my mind he’s this hot guy with a beard, a well respected man, but a man no less. So when he “quietly” breaks off the engagement, I can’t help but think of the broken-hearted Mary. Until I see this…
“I’M NOT SURE WHAT’S GOING ON. I’MHURTING. CONFUSED.”
And his friends, they’re all asking questions. I knew they did, but overlooked the fact that they did. For so long I attributed him as a “selfish man” when instead he is so human; human that is used for God’s story.
But it’s different. It’s like they are no longer a story in history. But they are with us too. The presence at Christmas time isn’t just Emmanuel, it’s them too, and everyone else involved.
Our church is doing the Advent Conspiracy. We’ve learned to worship fully, spend less, give more, and love all. It’s rethinking Christmas. What impacts me most, is that Christmas is about relationships. It’s God’s love for us in the gift of His Son. His Son came to earth that we might know the character of God. He built a relationship with the world. And now, it has me thinking of the relationships that were impacted in many ways by that Gift, a king made into a humble servant.
Think about those relationships. really, think about them. Mary and her sister- did she cry to Elizabeth when hot-Joe dumped her? And Joseph- did he call Mary all sorts of names to friend #1 & friend #2? And when the two were reconciled, I think “What God has joined together let no man separate,” (Matt 19:6). Because imagine the Spirit at the core of the relationship, as deep as it could possibly be. Let no man separate.
and what if, WHAT IF, His Spirit was at the core of everyone of my relationships too?? Emmanuel, His presence not just with me, but withIN me in every, single, one of my relationships!
