…God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.”
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
(Luke 1:26-29, New International Version)
God’s messenger turns up in Nazareth, and declares “The Lord is with you!” And Mary finds this troubling, proceeds with caution…
God’s messenger turns up in church, and declares “The Lord be with you!” And the congregation responds “And also with you,” before plunging headlong into liturgical business-as-usual…
Perhaps we have domesticated God’s presence, become over-familiar with his being around…
Perhaps we have discarded God’s presence, become over-familiar with his absence…
Whatever it takes, for an easy life…
Lord, if we too have found favour in your eyes, trouble us in our complacency towards you. Amen.
Advent
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