Great Things

“In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior. He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant. Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored because the mighty one has done great things for me.”  Luke 1:47-49

Mary was honored and humbled to be the servant of God, the one chosen to bear Christ himself. The Christmas story reminds us that God chooses to act through the normal people of the world. While one of the most significant, Mary in one of many throughout Biblical history that have been chosen to do God’s work. In fact, in the wider view of Biblical history, God has repeatedly chosen those no one else would. Moses was an exiled murderer. Rahab was a prostitute. David was the smallest brother who spent his time singing to the sheep. Mary was an unknown young woman who wasn’t even married yet. Paul was a decorated persecutor of the fledgling Christian church. Each one became giants in the world of faith, not because of what they had done before being chosen, but because God saw something they didn’t even yet see in themselves and used them for a greater good.

I believe God still works that way. I believe God hassomething for each of us that is a significant part of God’s master plan. Our job is to listen, and to act. That’s the hard part. But if God can choose Mary, God can choose you and me. If God can work through a shepherd boy, God can work through us. Don’t let doubts or fears or excuses stop God from moving you more fully into God’s plan. Your life, my life, and the lives of those around us may depend upon it.

This is the miracle of Christmas: In God’s infinite wisdom,the ordinary is made extraordinary, the mundane is made spectacular, and theunknown person becomes God’s amazing servant. Maybe you, or me, or us, is next.Merry Christmas! Glory, in excelsis Deo! Amen.