This evening’s gospel reading tells us about Mary’s visit to Elizabeth prior to the birth of their children (Luke 1:39-45). Both Mary and Elizabeth were of course incredibly unlikely mothers. Mary was a young unmarried virgin, and Elizabeth was at the opposite end of the age scale ! Whilst Mary had not even got as far as thinking about having children, Elizabeth had long since given up any hope of having a child.
And yet as they met up their excitement was clear – all of the potential obstacles that were in the way seemed insignificant. Both were to have a son, and their sons would be very special people with a special mission from God.
Advent draws our attention particularly to these two biblical pregnancies. To Mary, an angel announces the inexplicable - she shall bear a child. To another old and barren woman, Elizabeth, cousin to that young girl, the gift of pregnancy is also given. And as the two women meet, in the womb of Elizabeth, the blessed leaps in the presence of the one who blesses. And so these two women wait…
The calling of Mary and Elizabeth were in many ways surprising callings, and yet it’s incredible to see as we look back over so much of the Old Testament to see how frail and imperfect all the so called "heroes" actually are.
At the time of their calling from God, Abraham was a coward who couldn’t believe the promises of God, Jacob was a cheat who struggled with everybody, Joseph was an immature and arrogant teenager.
And there was Moses. He was an impatient murderer who couldn’t wait for God. Samson was a womanising drunk. David was a power abusing adulterer. Solomon was incredibly unwise, and the list of unlikely people being called and used by God could continue, and indeed it does in the New Testament initially in the form of Elizabeth and Mary.
It seems amazing that God didn’t choose "better" or “more appropriate” people to do His work in the world. And yet that is so much of what advent is about – the season is a reminder of God calling those who seem unlikely and then using them to shine as lights in the world. And as we prepare ourselves for Christmas we are being called to examine our role once again as God’s servants within God’s Church.
We are being reminded that we are chosen, as unlikely perhaps as so many others before us, and yet if God can use them, and reveal Himself through them in such marvellous ways, it means that He can also use us, however inadequate or sometimes unwise we are, and however much we often lack the faith in our own ability to be used by God !
Part of the wonder of the advent season is the realisation that there is nothing that we can do which can put limits on what God can do – he has done the impossible. He has sent his son to be born of a virgin, and that son would grow and change the world. That son would die on the cross – a sign of his love not just for every one of us, but also for every one who rejects his call. The message of advent is that we cannot limit God.
Like Mary and Elizabeth we must wait and reflect on God’s calling, we must live out his love and compassion, we must share his good news with others, and we must make ourselves ready not just to celebrate his presence in our lives, but to live out that presence in our service of him and other people. AMEN
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