He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David
Luke 1:32
I recall when I was pregnant, all of the predictions. Some relatives and friends were sure they could predict the baby’s gender. Others pondered what features would be inherited from which parent. Still
others imagined future occupations and talents. In quiet moments, I also wondered. And I worried. What would I be like as a parent? What would I get right? Where would I fail?
I imagine Mary, after the angelic visitation, after the courageous, yes, in the wee hours… I imagine her hearing the words, “he will be great.”
What joy, but also what worry must have filled her heart.
In Advent, as we join Mary in the waiting, do we share both the joy and the worry? We know all the words of the birth story. We know the blessed assurance that this birth will bring peace and hope and joy. We sing, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel…”. But do we take time to ponder just what this birth will be for us? Do we ask what it will mean now- where ever we currently find ourselves in life?
Mary must have wondered what it would mean that her Son would be great. And maybe we also wonder. What does the greatness of God, born to Mary, taking on flesh to live in our space, mean in 2024?
Jesus would teach that to be great is to be humble, willing to serve others, and to care for those in need. Greatness didn’t come from gathering
up the tangible rewards of this world, but in clinging to the rewards of peaceful spirit and joyful love.
In 2024, as in all years, we know the babe born to Mary, Jesus, showed the world greatness expressed in loving service and invited us all to know and live that greatness.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, you are great, but not in the way of this world. You are great in love and mercy, and we thank you for that greatness. Teach us your ways. Instill in us a desire to live the great love you have shown to each of us. Come Lord Jesus, let your greatness fill our hearts with love. Amen.
The Rev. Ghislaine Cotnoir is Director of Pastoral Care at The Hearth at Drexel and Artman.
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