This Sunday we are reminded that a young teenager called Mary became the mother of Jesus. She was probably quite poor and she was unmarried and therefore extremely vulnerable. However when she realises that she is to be the mother of God she explodes into praise and not despair. She had a trusting faith in God that all would be well.

What an example to us all as we face uncertain futures, or problems that seem bigger than our ability to cope. Mary is able to hear God's call to her above the noise which so easily could have drowned it out. We all have to try and ensure that we give space for God's voice to be heard in our own lives. The unceasing rush to work, the care for the young and the elderly, the worry over our sick families and friends, all of these can push God out of our hearts and minds.

This Christmas may the peace of the Christ child still our restless spirit and allow the voice of God to be heard speaking to each one of us.

Mary hears God tell that she has found favour, God's words are 'good news'. That message is for us this Christmas time, God speaks to us that we need not fear, God loves us and is with us seeking to be our friend. 

Post Communion Sentence

Heavenly father, who chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of the promised saviour: fill us your servants with your grace, that in all things we may embrace your holy will and with her rejoice in your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Commentary

Momentous. To say that the Annunciation of the birth of the Saviour to Mary is momentous is perhaps an understatement. But what other word could you use to describe this event? You could say that it is important, significant, historic, crucial, vital, meaningful or earth-shattering. All these words seem to lack some of the meaning of momentous. Momentous says it best. The Annunciation is momentous because of the effect that it has on the future. We can see that the Annunciation is the event which provides the initial momentum which is built upon by subsequent events. It sets in motion a course of events which lead to the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the possibility of Salvation for all Humanity. How momentous is that!

The Annunciation and the birth of Christ are all the more momentous because they rest on the faithfulness and devotion of a young peasant girl. It really is extraordinarily amazing, that this young girl, Mary, should respond in such a remarkable way to the appearance of an Angel, who claims to be God’s messenger, bringing her news that she will give birth to a child who is the son of God, the Son of the Most High and the inheritor of the throne of David, whose kingdom will last for all eternity. Incredible. Yet Mary responds in a fashion which probably puts most of us to shame. “May it be to me as you have said.” A simple response of faith.

This Christmas, may our response to God’s calling be a response of faith and obedience. May we worship the newborn Saviour with open hands and open hearts, ready to embrace Him as our Lord and Saviour, ready to accept God’s calling to new possibilities of living in faith and obedience.
 

Mary 18 B.C.?-A.D. 48 
History's most venerated mother 
 

Though Mary plays a key role in the birth stories of Matthew and Luke, she is scarcely mentioned in the other two Gospels and not at all in the New Testament letters. Yet Mary today is the most venerated woman in history, and the only woman mentioned in the Koran. 
During her childhood she lived in Nazareth where she was put into an arranged marriage with the carpenter Joseph. Gospel references begin when she was a little over 12 years old. Luke reported that while Mary was living with her parents in Nazareth, an angel visited and told her she would give birth to a holy child who would be called "the Son of God." Being pregnant out of wedlock was dangerous, Mary might even be stoned to death. 
 

Though the stories began with a miracle, Mary later appeared confused or in doubt about Jesus' mission. She was once convinced he had gone mad, and tried to get him to stop preaching and come home. 
 

Christian tradition asserted that Mary was a virgin all of her life. The first reference is the apocryphal Protevangelium of James, an embellished story of Jesus' infancy. Early church leaders such as Irenaeus and Clement of Alexandria believed Mary remained a virgin, and Athanasius wrote extensively on the "ever virgin" Mary. 
 

The Gospel accounts record that Jesus had brothers and sisters, but Roman Catholics, following the lead of many early church leaders, argue they were Jesus' cousins or Joseph's children from a previous marriage. Protestants have taught Mary was a virgin only until the birth of Jesus, after which she and Joseph conceived James, Joses, Judas, Simon, and unnamed daughters. 
 

Mary was present at the Day of Pentecost, but then she disappears from history. One tradition says she lived in Jerusalem until she died, in A.D. 48, at about age 66. Another says she moved to Ephesus. Still another, asserted by Gregory of Tours (d. 593) based on earlier apocryphal writings, says that when she died, her body was "borne on a cloud into paradise, where it was reunited with her soul and now rejoices with the elect." 
Mary may have died not long after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Even if she was very young when she gave birth to Jesus she would have been in her forties, at the youngest, at this stage, which is already very good by ancient life expectancy, especially for a woman who’s given birth. 
Mary slowly grew in importance to early Christians; at first she was considered the new Eve. By the fourth century, she was given the title theotokos, the "God bearer," and was increasingly seen as a compassionate intercessor to whom believers could pray. By the Middle Ages, English historian Eadmer taught that Mary was herself conceived without original sin. This belief, along with that of her "Assumption" (rise to heaven) grew to such an extent in Roman Catholic circles that today they are part of that church's official doctrine. Today, many people (not just Roman Catholics and Orthodox) claim to experience visions of Mary, and she remains an important object of devotion for millions.
 

Meditation

Christmas has a mass of “musts” attached to it: I “must” send cards to everyone; I “must” buy presents for everyone; I “must” decorate the house/invite the neighbours/ buy mountains of food. At this time of year, the pressure mounts, and for many busy people the anticipation and joy of Christmas is ruined. 

I have observed that many of the older members of the congregation have a lot to teach us younger ones about enjoying Christmas. They accept that they can no longer do everything, and just do what they can! They enjoy the less energetic and demanding aspects of Christmas –listening to carols on the radio, sitting quietly at home rather than rushing about. Because they have had to give up doing certain Christmas tasks, they find that they can do without them, and Christmas happens—just the same! 

Perhaps we younger ones can try and simplify, and cross off a few tasks from our lists.

Hymns

1. Lo, he comes with clouds ascending. 424 
2. Lord the light of your love 445 
3. Joy to the world. 393 
4. Praise my soul the King of Heaven. 560 
5. A messenger named Gabriel (On notices)

Prayers for Sunday and the week ahead