But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Luke 1:29-30
Has there been a Christmas past that was disappointing? Were expectations too big to fulfill? I remember as a very young child, I really really wanted a horse, and on Christmas morning, I got a set of toy horses that were awesome, but not exactly the real deal. I was so disappointed and I chuckle now because in my wise adult years, lol, I can see where my parents had no way to get me that horse I dreamed of.
A dream gift is a wonderful expectation, and it is certainly good to dream big, but is is not an authentic Christmas promise that we will be gifted our greatest material wishes. Jesus didn't come as a baby and child of Mary and Joseph to bring horses and cars and huge surprises of every kind. Jesus born as a babe, is the revealed mystery of God working in and through our lives. The angel Gabriel told Mary not to fear, and we should not fear either. Mary's "yes" was an act of faith and we too can say "yes" to God by spending time in prayer and in service to those in need. God lives in us now in Jesus, and the mystery of His love for us and that is an authentic Christmas promise that I hope we never forget.
