And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

Luke 1:38 (NLT)

Lord, we are waiting.

We need a savior.

We pray for a king.

We are white-knuckled, battle-scarred. Weary and worn — in need of gentle reminders to breathe. We have exhausted our tears and we have wrung our hands and we have bowed our heads.

We are eager for your promises. We tiptoe around them, trying not to make them (and you) in our own image. Have mercy, Lord. After all–as the old folks used to say–“Mercy suits our situation.”

We read the headlines and our bodies respond — with joy, with fear, with sorrow, with hope. We step into the public sphere — our neighborhood, our workplace, our church, the marketplace — hoping to be salt and light where salt and light are needed most.

We encounter you just when we’d all but given up hope. We meet you in the first snowfall, the sound of water filling up a kitchen sink, the pages of a comic book, the faces of our enemies. You are always there, saving us from ourselves.

And so, we exhale.

We turn in your direction, once again. “Let it be to me according to your word,” we offer up, coupled with gratitude, passion, and surrender.

We need a savior, and we are being saved.

Thanks be to God.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

What are you waiting for during this Advent season? Where did you encounter God today? Was it a surprise? Why, or why not?

PRAYER:

Lord, I am waiting. I need a savior. I need you. Amen.

Explore more at the Theology of Work Project online Bible commentary: Advent Reflection: The Magnificat