Luke 1:38 - Expecting Christmas

I can guarantee that my wife's students are more lively this week. There is a certain static humming in the background, begging for their attention. It's the expectation of getting out of school for the Christmas holiday. More than that they are anticipating special foods, a trip to friends or relatives, gifts to open...

Adults aren't quite as excitable. In fact, as we get older it seems that the holiday more easily sneaks up on us, unless we pay attention to decorations and sales of retailers. Some people are not excited at all. They may actually dread Christmas for one reason or another.

For Mary, the mother of Jesus, she had at least nine months to expect His birth. Literally! It began with the Announcement by Gabriel, telling her that she would become pregnant by the Holy Spirit. We aren't told how long after it was that the conception occurred. Nor does the Bible say whether the Baby was premature or late. Jesus was born "in the fullness of time," (Galatians 4:4; Ephesians 1:10) meaning in God's own good time when everything was ready according to His schedule.

Perhaps her cousin Elizabeth gave Mary a special gift for the Baby. Judgmental neighbors who thought the pregnancy was illegitimate probably did not. So given nine months to prepare for the first Christmas, how did Mary get ready for it? Maybe she made a blanket. But that would hardly be enough to prepare for delivering a Baby destined to be Savior of the World.

Her initial response to Gabriel's announcement was the best preparation:
“I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” (Luke 1:38, New Living Translation, 2015).

Father in heaven,
Like the carol says, "Let every heart prepare Him room."*  Take us beyond the preparations for a holiday. Fill our hearts with an ongoing expectation of Your presence, overshadowing our lives. (Luke 1:35) In the name of that same Baby, Amen.

Painting: "Annunciation" by Matthias Stomer, 1635-1640 (Uffizi Gallery, 2021)
*"Joy to the World"