In this holy season of watching and waiting, of hope unfolding and love made known, I’ve been thinking of the strong and tender mother of our Lord. We know so little of her life, and yet she seems so close, so full of love and hope for all of us. For she is one of us — a humble, simple, ordinary soul.

Unnoticed by the world was she, until the angel-messenger of God appeared and greeted her with that most extraordinary greeting: “Hail, you who are highly favored. God has chosen you and calls you now to bear a gift of light and love to all who walk within this darkened world.” But she was not a head of state, a queen enthroned in power and grace. Nor was the mother of our Lord a woman known for wisdom, wealth, or worldly goods. She was but an ordinary young woman, if one so young can be called a woman. A child of tender age was she. Innocent, unknowing, and unknown by any man. But Gabriel, the ancient angel-messenger of the Lord appeared to her and said, “The gift you carry, the child you bear is a holy child, the only Son of God. And God has called and chosen you to bear him to the world.”

Others have been called, you know. So many others have been chosen, called and commandeered to bear the word of God. And so many others responded with fear and doubt and dread. “I am unworthy, Lord. I am a man of unclean lips. I am too young. I am too old. I am but a youth.” Peter said, “Depart from me, I am a sinful man.” And Saul of Tarsus, blinded by the Light, could not see how a persecutor of the Church could ever serve this one called Christ.

Mary did not turn away. She did not say, “Lord, I cannot.” But when she asked, “How can this be?” the angel-messenger of our Lord simply reminded her that God is God… and nothing is impossible with God. And hearing that, Mary responded, “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be with me according to your word.” Later, on that holy night, Jesus was born in Bethlehem — born of Mary, the servant-mother of our Lord.

You, like Mary, are highly favored. God has called and chosen you to bear the Christ into this world. God calls you to carry Christ, the precious gift of God’s unfailing love, to all the world around you.

“May the glad tidings of Christmas be yours on this holy night. Exult in the child’s birth. Wonder at the depth of God’s love. And rejoice in a simple majesty that is God’s way to be with us.” –