This weekend marks the traditional second week of Advent. All around the world 2nd candles are being lit. What does that mean?
Advent is designed to draw our attention and focus our thoughts on the season of Jesus’ birth. It’s not just “a day”. It’s really something that we should remember year-round. But here we take 1/12 of our year and emphasize it.
Advent also teaches us the story. Last week we looked at the prophecy or the promise. Ever since Genesis 3:15, God has been on board to deliver a path to salvation. Isaiah 9:6-7 tells us all about who that Savior would be.
But in this second week we look at Mary. An ordinary jewish girl of no particular distinction. Except that she was chosen of God to be the one who would bear His Son.
In Luke 1:26-38 we read of the announcement that the angel Gabriel delivered. He started by saying “don’t be afraid”. Angelic visitations could be terrifying. Who wants to be seen on that large of a stage?
But Gabriel went on to tell Mary that she had been chosen by God for a singular privilege and burden. She would be the mother of the Son of God.
I don’t know how much Mary really understood at that point? It had to be overwhelming. It had to be terrifying. It had to be strange beyond all measure.
But God’s choice of Mary was well founded. He knew her intimately and knew exactly how she would respond. He knew that her heart was the right kind of heart for such a task.
When faced with a situation that broke the mold of all expectations, Mary had faith. Her response was “Amen” – So be it.
The second week of Advent teaches us to look at the faith that Mary displayed. Her trust in God was absolute. She had no idea what was really going to happen. She had no idea she’d see her Son on a cross one day. She had no idea that He would violently divide her world.
She just knew that if God was in it, she could trust Him to see it through.
How’s your faith today?
Are you trusting Him to see it through?
Do you need to be encouraged by the example of Mary? She was faithful to the end. She trusted God and He proved Himself reliable for her. Your situation can’t be any bigger or harder than Mary’s. And there is no situation that is beneath His loving gaze. So in whatever situation you find yourself, God will be faithful – but it’s to you to lean into faith.
Are you celebrating your faith? Mary gives us a chance to rejoice in what God has done. While the end of the story was hard, I’m sure there were many privileged moments along the way that Mary cherished. Matthew says she stored up all these things in her heart. So Mary is also a sign of encouragement as we embrace our faith.
Are you sharing your faith? While in some ways, faith is incredibly private, in many ways, it has to be let out. Who do you know that needs a God who moves like this? Who needs faith that leads to a Savior? Odds are that you know someone. This Advent season is the perfect occasion to talk about the faith and the hope of glory that you hold.
He has come!
Dennis
