The Jesse Tree

December 17 of Advent: Mary

A Reading from the Gospel According to Luke (1:26-38):

“In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, ‘Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ But Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?’ And the angel said to her in reply, ‘The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.’ Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.”

O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, You sent an angel to announce to Mary that she would be the Mother of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. How could this be? By the power of the Most High! Mary obeyed and declared herself the handmaid of the Lord, to be done with according to Your word. Mary, full of grace, had her heart always open to the movement of Your grace in her life. May we imitate her and keep our hearts ever open to You, having full confidence and trust that You will always be for us the God of life, love, and mercy. Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.

Be Christ for all. Bring Christ to all. See Christ in all.