A Journey Through Advent: Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021
by the Rev. Aaron Rogers, Associate to the Rector
Trinity Episcopal Church, Central West End / St. Louis
Today's readings: Psalm113 or 122 or Canticle9; 1 Samuel 1:19-28; Luke 1:46-56
What To Expect When You’re Expecting? A Reflection on Luke 1:46-56
You may be familiar with the popular book series "What to expect when you're expecting." The author, Heidi Murkoff, had the profound insight that parents who are new to childbirth might want to know what they should expect. In her series, she tries to exhaustively detail all the things soon-to-be parents should look out for. Her wisdom came from her need. She was a soon to-to-be-mother and realized at the time that she had no idea of what expect. She had nothing to answer the questions that kept her up at night nor anything to ease her worry. She noted from that point forward that she would be a "mom-on-a-mission," to ease the worry of other soon-to-be-parents.
Our text tells of us of another "mom-on-a-mission." Mary finds herself in a similar situation not knowing what exactly to expect but pregnant with the promise of birthing something new. It's a little more dramatic than what Heidi offers us. Mary (sitting on the margins) is pregnant with the savior of the world. Who can imagine such a thing... let alone know what to expect?! Mary had no manual, no helpful books, no roadmap only her faith in God and God's promise to her ancestors. Hope was her how-to. Waiting can sometimes cause us to worry or be afraid. Too often, we wait and expect the worst. Mary reminds us to wait with God and expect the very best.
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