Christmastime is here. In the midst of the magic, there is almost inevitably chaos, but this year I want to purpose to slow down and soak in the wonder of it all. While scurrying to buy gifts, let’s remember the greatest gift: God chose to send His only son to dwell among us bringing hope, redemption, and a love beyond comprehension. I invite you to celebrate the advent of the nativity of Jesus with me over the next few weeks through a variety of Christmas stories. Today, I felt inspired to start at the beginning; when Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel and told she would be the mother of the Messiah. After reading my little poem, please enjoy a song in the video clip. Though not intentionally or traditionally a Christmas song, I think “Let it Be,” the famous song by The Beatles is quite appropriate as I will explain below.
The first miracle of Christmas began with a girl.
Gabriel, Heaven’s messenger, told young Mary how it was to unfurl.
Though a virgin, she was chosen to mother the King of kings.
She asked a question wondering about the proper order of such things.
“The power of the Most High will overshadow you,” said the angel, and that was enough for Mary,
Did she stop to consider that the consequences could very well be scary?
We know not her every thought, but we do know what we’ve read,
“Let it be unto me according to your word,” is simply what she said.
When I was pondering Mary’s answer to the edict of God: “Let it be unto me according to your word,” (Luke 1:38), I was reminded of perhaps my favorite Beatles song and its lyric, “Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be.” I thought that they must be referencing Mary the mother of Jesus and echoing her faithful words but found that this is not the case. Rather, the song is an ode to Sir Paul McCartney’s mother, also named Mary. In an interview, McCartney remarks on the song’s origin explaining that in the midst of a difficult season, he had a clear dream of his mother, who had died when he was only 14, and she said to him, “Let it be.” The song has become, in his words “a comforting, healing statement” and though not related to Mary the mother of Jesus, I feel that the sentiment behind the song is also one of submitting to God’s plan. So, I will now associate “Let it Be” with the story of Christmas, and plus, it’s a good excuse to listen to a great song!
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