Will you say “YES!” to God?
This is the time of year when it is so very easy to get caught up in all the trappings of holiday craziness. The desire to find the perfect gifts, make the perfect cookies, send the perfect Christmas cards, attend the right parties…all these things can easily push their way to the forefront of our minds, pushing those less tangible Christmas experiences to the recesses of our thoughts.
I imagine that Mary also thought the last thing she had time to do while planning her wedding to Joseph was to sit down and have a chat with the angel Gabriel. Yet, Mary said “Yes” to God. She risked everything … her marriage, her safety, her ties to family and community, her life. Biblical descriptions of angels, and the reaction of people to them, make me think that it would have been impossible to refuse Gabriel’s proposition anyway, but somehow Mary found the courage to say, “Yes.” Gabriel appears saying, “Do not be afraid!” Luke 1:30-31. Mary answers with, “Behold the servant of the Lord, may it be as He has proclaimed.” Luke 1:38
Keeping the things that are truly important in the front and center of our minds isn’t always easy to do when we are buffeted by worldly cares day in and day out. The thing we often fail to remember is that it is exactly those times, when we say “Yes” to God, that our lives become full of meaning, and our hearts and minds are filled with peace. This is what God desires from us, that we say “Yes” to Him and allow His love to fill our lives. God’s love is limitless and a free gift for those who accept it. When we welcome God into our lives, we can not help but share his abundant love with others. It is the nature God’s love that it should not end with us.
This Christmas, take a moment to reflect upon the ways God is asking you to say “Yes” to Him. Instead of grumbling about picking up a gift for a donation, try to shift your thoughts to the joy you will bring to a child. Instead of grousing about paying a holiday visit to your in-laws, adopt an attitude of gratitude that you have family with which to share the holiday and do not have to spend it alone. Worship. Fellowship. Relax. Enjoy each other. Share God’s love. Say “Yes” to God.
