Advent for the Weary Soul: "Sitting with Mary"

*adapted sermon from The Rev. Alissa Oleson

During Advent, sometimes it can be easy to forget what these early moments for Mary must have been like. We have the privilege of getting the abridged version on Sunday mornings. We hear of the story in a certain order, starting with when the angel Gabriel came to Mary and tells her she is pregnant with the Son of God, and then we skip to the end where Mary claims her role in the story as a servant of the Lord and then suddenly…we fast forward quickly through all the growing pains of pregnancy to her riding on a donkey with Joseph to Bethlehem. I think in the midst of Advent and the excitement of Christmas, maybe we forget that this is only the cliff notes version of the story.

In the extended version of this story, we get to see the pieces of the story that maybe aren’t as glamorous, but feel a bit more familiar. For any of us that have been brought life changing news before, we know it isn’t quite this simple. With life-changing news comes messiness. Regardless of what that news might be, there are layers of emotions to sift through, some that are joyful and some that are more difficult. In our real lives we don’t get to fast forward through the messy mix of emotions that come up for us. And similarly, hearing only about the graceful and faith-filled responses, doesn’t do the Christmas story justice. Actually, I think the story is incomplete when we don’t hear about the tough parts too.

My invitation to us all tonight is to wonder a bit with and about Mary together. My invitation is to bring your own experiences to this story today, all the news --- or lack of news that might be swelling in your heart today - as we wonder about all that Mary felt and experienced.

I wonder if Mary experienced grief? Grief over the loss of a life she had once imagined for herself? I wonder if she cried softly at night.

I wonder what her body was experiencing? Did she feel weaker or stronger, tired or achy?

I wonder how her relationships changed with her family and friends? Did she feel support or loneliness? What was her marriage like?

I wonder how she was personally affected by the politics of her time? Did they make her anxious, scared, nervous?

I wonder if at times she felt like a total rockstar? Did she feel empowered as a chosen creative force? Did she feel special?

I wonder if she felt overwhelmed by the future? If Elizabeth was one of the few people she knew would understand? If this is where she find comfort?

One of the things that has stuck out to me in reading the Gospel stories each Sunday is Mary’s response in the hard parts of the story. Before we get to her bold proclamation at the end, the place where she can run to Elizabeth with joy, we first remember Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel. Her response is one of pondering. When she hears this news she takes a moment to take it all in --- the messenger and the message. And the second time she speaks to the angel, she asks a question... “how can this be?” And you know what? Her pondering and her questions and...well...all of it... are held and accepted. I love that. The angel doesn’t chastise her for needing time to ponder and process this news, but allows her this space. And in a world where women were taught not to doubt or ask questions, the angel lets her speak and answers her.

By taking some time to wonder alongside Mary--- we get a more complete story of a complex woman, a complex human being. And my guess is, as is often the case, that as we wondered about Mary, you also learned something about yourself, and how you might be approaching the manger today.

We also learn quite a bit about God. We learn about a God who doesn’t fast-forward through the story. But rather, we learn of a God who joins us in whatever mess and mix of emotions - joy, grief, shock, numbness, happiness - we might be experiencing. God slows down, so that we aren’t ever left alone, even at our loneliest in these dark winter months. And to each of us, all of us “Marys” sitting and waiting for the birth of Jesus this day, we are sent this message, “Greetings, favored and beloved one. The Lord is with you...do not be afraid...Blessed is she who beloved that what our God said to her would be accomplished.”