“Congratulations”

Luke 1:39-45 [46-55]                        Fourth Sunday of Advent                           December 20, 2009

Some first graders decided to write their own version of the Christmas story.  The traditional characters were there, but Mary was nowhere to be seen.  Suddenly, loud moans and groans came from behind some bales of hay.  Mary must be in labor. Then a Dr. appeared in his white coat with a stethoscope, Joseph paced back and forth.  After a few moments the Dr. reappeared with a big smile on his face, “Congratulations Joseph, it’s a God.”

Congratulations Elizabeth, no matter how old you are, you’re going to have a baby.”  “Congratulations Mary, no matter how young you are, you’re going to have a baby, and it is a God.”  Congratulations, what are you going to have?

Congratulations to these miracle mothers.  Mary had heard from the angel that she was going to have a baby.  It was no different then; a young girl should not be out alone, much less traveling across country and on top of it all she is in a hurry.  This is 60-80 miles, it would take 3-5 days, a courageous trip.  She must have really been determined to see her cousin, a wise woman that no doubt she felt she could confide in.  She felt no desire to face this alone and for whatever reason her parents are not mentioned.  A poor, young, uneducated mother-to-be goes to an older, pillar of the church, married to a priest, but had never had children.  This was a disgrace then, that was the primary role of women, but surprise surprise, she was also pregnant.

Two happy mothers-to-be, each chosen by God to bear a child.  New life and special children they were.  One old, one young, one married, one not.  What gifts would you bring to those baby showers?  Three months they spent together, waiting together, affirming each other that something was happening that was worth waiting for. Elizabeth would be a mentor for Mary.  Elizabeth would prepare the way for Mary just as John would prepare the way for Jesus.  Through all of this both women are blessed. God is at work and what a work God does.

In a conversation this week a mother mentioned that when you’re pregnant you give up control.  We are moving with great haste toward the birthing, four more days; it would be great to linger longer with these two women, to learn how they gave up control and turned it over to God.  Can you be pregnant?  Congratulations, it’s a God.  Can you let God control your life?  What a great joy that would be, is that what it means to be blessed by God?  You have your mentors, you have those who have prepared the way; God is at work.  Maybe you could break into song like Mary did.

“My soul magnifies the Lord.”  Magnify is to make clear, enlarge, bring into focus, reveal.  Mary meant, “I now have seen and experienced God in a larger way, an expanded way.”   Perhaps she had given up control.  If Emmanuel, “God with us” means anything it means that God comes to us, God keeps pushing, God is in control.  Mary testifies to the power of God to lift up the lowly, to fill the hungry with good things, to show mercy to those who fear God.  Mary remembers the promise of God and rejoices that the child she will bear will fulfill those promises in ways that even she cannot understand.  She is poor, pregnant, and unmarried, yet she sings of a God who looks upon her and calls her blessed.  Congratulations Mary.

Have you ever heard of “Fetal Kick Count?”  During the baby’s most active time of the day, count the fetal movements, they generally move about ten times every four hours.  Often times parents get anxious because they become preoccupied and miss some of the fainter movements.  When I read this, my warped mind thought of what I would call a “God kick count.”   God’s movement in your lives – frequently you become preoccupied and miss some movements.  Just as Elizabeth experienced when baby John leaped in her womb, there are those moments when God leaps in your lives.  The late Peter Marshall would say, “When Christmas doesn’t make your heart swell up until it nearly bursts and make you all soft and warm inside, then you will know that something inside of you is dead.”  Congratulations.  When God is in control, there will be leaping, the “God kick count” will rise.  And you too are blessed.

Have you witnessed children who are just positive they are going to receive a certain present, even though they have heard comments like, “That might not be possible” “You know you don’t get everything you want for Christmas.”  But their faith is still strong, the impossible will happen.  Mary must have had this kind of faith.  Congratulations Mary.  But how about you?

God can do anything.  If God can plant life in the womb of a young virgin, imagine what God can do in your life.  If God can create this kind of faith in Mary through the Holy Spirit, what can be created in your life?  Mary played a part in the fulfillment of God’s promises, what part do you play?  Mary was excited to share her good news, how about you?  Maybe your hearts will do some leaping like John did in Elizabeth’s womb as we share.  Then the Dr. will come to each of you and say, “Congratulations, it’s a God.”

Mary models for us how to be a servant, by doing that Mary was a God-bearer, she was named this a few hundred years later.  Congratulations, you are a God-bearer.

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