Honoring Mary’s Yes (December 25 Sermon)

HONORING MARY’S “YES”

12/25/23 ~ St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Encinitas, CA

By: The Rev. Brenda Sol

Christmas Day (II): Isaiah 62:6-12, Psalm 97; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:8-20

I believe in the power of storytelling. As Christians participating in this liturgy, we are demonstrating our belief in the power of storytelling. From the passages of scripture, to the lyrics of our hymns, to the words of the Eucharistic Prayer, we are telling our story as the people of God. We do so to remember that through it all—through the ups and downs and challenges of humanity—there’s one steady constant. And, that constant is God’s ever-present love. 

Our stories also bind us together. So, during Christmas, as we come together to celebrate the fact that God loved us so much God incarnated into the world in the form of the Baby Jesus, we tell our story once again. 

But you’ve probably noticed, within your own families—whether biological or chosen—that the recollection of a family story can vary slightly, when told from the perspectives of the various participants. That’s because each person experienced the event from a different vantage point.

Most of my favorite novels are written in multiple voices—every other chapter sharing the story from one or the other of their particular perspectives. I love knowing what was going on in the heads of the various characters, which gives me more empathy and compassion for everyone involved. Plus, it helps me see how the littlest detail can be crucial to the overarching story. 

To me, considering the story, and the impact it has on our lives, from multiple vantage points, adds to the richness of the story. I don’t want to go straight to an overlysimplistic happy ending. I want to understand what it took to get there.

Which is why I want us to spend some time this morning considering Mother Mary’s vantage point. Nine months prior to the birth of Jesus, this young girl said “Yes.” to God’s call. Earlier in the Gospel of Luke, we’re told it’s the Angel Gabriel who announces: “Mary, you have found favor with God,” then describes a teeny bit more about what God is asking her to do.

When Mary, innocently, asks “How can this be?”, Gabriel reassures her, “Do not be afraid.” But we’ve all been reading these stories a long time. We all know that “Do not be afraid.” is almost always an ominous warning that the person is going to encounter plenty to be afraid about!” And, still, Mary responds: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”

So, Mary said “Yes.” and we celebrate that. But have you ever imagined the pain—literally and emotionally—Mary endured by saying “Yes.”? For starters, she bore the pain of being seen as someone, not worthy of marriage because she was either pregnant before the wedding, or pregnant without having consummated a marriage with Joseph. We don't know the accuracy of the event, but we’re told in more than one way, that Mary endured the judgement of those around her. Sometimes, even from Joseph.

And, then, we have to consider the actual birth. I’ve never given birth, but I’ve heard more than one mother say if she hadn’t experienced some sort of amnesia around how painful child birth was, they may never have had a second child. 

On top of that, Mary and Joseph’s forced trip to register themselves took them away from their community. Which also means Mary wasn’t surrounded by the traditional circle of women who would’ve overseen the birthing process. I can only imagine how scary that would’ve been.

As I contemplated the pain Mary willingly endured to bring life and light into this world, I called to mind the words of a prayer from The New Zealand Prayer Book. It’s a version of the Lord’s Prayer that I pray almost every morning as part of my Daily Devotions. I like the earthiness of it.

Here’s how the prayer begins: “Eternal Spirit, Earth-Maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver”. When I pray those words, “pain-bearer, life-giver” I’m reminded that our story as the people of God isn’t just about getting to the happy ending. Our story is complex and full of challenges. But even in the midst of pain, we find God’s ever present love and, often, deep joy.

The prayer goes on:

Eternal Spirit, Earth-Maker,

Pain-bearer, Life-giver,

source of all that is and that shall be,

Father and Mother of us all,

Which brings us back to Mother Mary. Even though she was giving birth in a strange place—in a dingy barn—surely other women came to help her. The innkeeper’s wife, perhaps. Mary wouldn’t have birthed a baby on her own. God’s ever present love surrounded her in the kindness and care of strangers.

So, Christmas Eve, rightly so, focuses on Jesus and his birth—Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes. A multitude of heavenly hosts, praise God and proclaim: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom God favors!" Which calls us to remember, earlier in this story we learned Mary is one whom God favors. This young, uneducated—likely poor—girl, willing to say “Yes.” makes it possible for all of us to also be those in whom God finds favor.

So, on Christmas morning, the angels have gone, the shepherds have made their exit, and it’s just this simple family alone in the stable. Mary looks down at the baby Jesus and reviews the various proclamations the honored guests have made. And, as it is written in today’s reading from Luke, “Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” 

To me, it's like Mary heard these most exquisite words, and she wondered what they could possibly mean, and, yet, at the same time, she has this visceral sense of what it all means. Mary’s story keeps us from rushing to an overly simplistic happy ending. 

Rather, on that day, Mary looks into her child’s eyes, and more fully accepts her role as the Divine Mother. Her story reminds us that the miracle of Jesus’s birth is inextricably linked to her selflessness and sacrifice. But if we put all of that into a Venn diagram, what we find at the center is Mother Mary’s faith, hope, love, peace, and what must have felt a deep sense of joy. 

The same faith, hope, love, peace and joy that is now available to each of us, as we ponder the Christmas story, and treasure the good news of God’s ever present love in our hearts. 

Merry Christmas!

-AMEN