When God held God's breath

In our Gospel reading for tomorrow (Luke 1:26-38), the Last Sunday of Advent, we hear that the angel Gabriel was "sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary."

Gabriel told Mary that God had favored her and chosen her to give birth to a savior, the Messiah, the Son of God. After some argument from Mary and explanation from Gabriel, there was one brief moment when the universe held its collective breath. God held God's breath. Mary could have refused. Long ago God gave us humans free will. We can cooperate with God and worship God, or we can refuse.

But Mary said yes. "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word."

Thanks be to God.


In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar, Holy Cross Church Episcopal
Billings, Montana
www.holycrosschurchbillings.org
http://holycrossbillings.blogspot.com
artwork: http://www.orthodoxonline.com/images/annunciation.jpg