A Prayer about How Christmas Disturbs Our Self-Made Shalom
A Prayer about How Christmas Disturbs Our Self-Made Shalom
But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. Luke 1:29
Wondrous God,
Even though this verse isn’t usually
the subject of memes or cross-stitched wall-art,
we need to ponder it.
It reminds us of just how disruptive
the birth of Christ really was,
how Christ in fact came
to disrupt any self-made shalom,
any peace we’ve gained on our own terms,
any security and significance
that doesn’t come from you.
We can imagine how confused
Mary must have been,
how disruptive the news
of her imminent pregnancy was to her.
After all, what would Joseph,
her betrothed say?
And yet, she doesn’t quarrel
with the angel Gabriel.
Instead, she wonders, “How can this be?”
Lord, in this season of Advent,
draw us to wonder
about the disruptive grace
of Jesus Christ.
Make us sit and rest and ponder
the enormity of this question,
“How can this be….”
In Christ’s wonderfully disruptive name. Amen.
Read Luke 1:26-38.
Get Elizabeth’s Advent devotional for free here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/34no8c805q.