Devotional 12-21-14

Nothing is Impossible with God (and support from friends)

Luke 1:26-38

It is during the birth and death stories about Jesus in the Gospels that women are mentioned the most often. In this short passage, we hear about two women, Mary and Elizabeth. Mary has received some unsettling news. She is going to have a baby even though she has never been with a man. I cannot imagine being told this in the first place, much less receiving this news from an angel. Mary must have been shaken up and frightened on so many levels. I wonder if maybe this conversation took place over a few days, rather than all at once, so Mary would have time to think about it and digest it before she finally agreed. She probably wondered what her parents and her fiancé would say. The Bible clearly says she was troubled. In order to reassure her, the angel tells Mary that her relative Elizabeth, who has been barren for years, is six months pregnant. The angel concludes, “Nothing is impossible with God!”

So we have two women both of whom are going to be giving birth soon. Mary was young, afraid and unprepared at this time for what was happening to her. Elizabeth had given up hope of ever becoming a mother. She must have been very happy about what was happening to her. They each had their own challenges, but were reassured in their unique ways that God would be with them.

I wonder about the nature of their relationship. Why did Mary go see Elizabeth? Was it to see for herself if the angel’s words were true? Did Elizabeth know what was happening to Mary? Apparently, she did, if we read down a few more verses. We don’t know what kind of contact these women may have had through the years as their sons aged and matured to become the truly special human beings God created them to be.  It is probable that Elizabeth was quite a bit older than Mary, so maybe she didn’t live to see her son John grown and baptizing people in the Jordan River years later. We don’t know.

I preach on this passage every year and I always see something new. This year, this traditional Advent passage reminds me of how important Godly friendships are. The Bible implies that Mary stays with Elizabeth for several weeks, even up until the birth of John. Imagine all of the things they would have found to talk about and to do together. Did they discuss their dreams for their boys? Did they make baby clothes? Did they laugh and cry together? Pray together? As the years went by and conflict around their sons broke these mothers’ hearts, did they remember the words of the angel that they used to encourage one another, “Nothing is impossible with God.”?

I invite you to think about your Christian friendships this Advent. Who are those people for you? Are you a special friend to someone? The gift of a strong friendship based on mutual understanding and unconditional love is a precious Christmas gift to give and to receive. I hope you give, and get, that beautiful gift this year!

Rev. Dorcas Linger Conrad
Weirton, WV