Advent Devotion for December 15

(For a wonderful interpretation of Simone Martini's "Annunciation" - the larger 14th century painting from which the illustration above was taken - go to to this link.)

 And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
   and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
   Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
   and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
   from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
   he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
   and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
   and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
   in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
   to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

(Luke 1:46-55)

Divine Surprise

by Wallace E. Chappell

When the smooth talking

stranger (Read angel)

greeted her, too flowery

“Hail, O favored one,

the Lord is with you!”

Mary knew enough

to be suspicious.

The Bible says she wondered,

“What sort of greeting

this might be.”

I’ll bet she wondered.

Who wants such

unexpected and disturbing surprises?

Even God’s?

There’s fear, anxiety, and

something apprehensively alarming

in such an awesome unknown gift.

Do I want

new life in me?

By God’s design?

Wary we would also be.

But that fine lass

burst forth in song

of liberation:

My soul magnifies the Lord…

putting down the mighty

from their thrones.

and exalting those

of low degree;

The Lord has filled the hungry

with good things,

and the rich

are sent empty away!

That’s what this

Little Surprise (Read baby Jesus)

will bring.

Some gift.  Yes. Yes!

SOME GIFT!