Leaving Nazareth might well have been an anxious time. There were undoubtedly those who discouraged Mary from going. How would she explain why it was so important for her to go? She may have had second thoughts herself. She was leaving what she knew for the unknown. Still, go she must. She must get to Bethlehem.
What shall she take with her? What is critical? What can she leave behind? There would not be much room for physical things. She knew what she carried inside was the most important thing. As her song in Elizabeth's presence indicates, she understands how she is being honored, how this is a gift to her of which she is unworthy, and how God was extending through her the promises of the past with the blessings of the future. She understands her unworthiness. She understands the gift to her. She understands the gift within her.
We are also on the way to Bethlehem. We, too, must go. We have been there before. There is a temptation for us to take along many physical things. It may be better for us to travel light. But what we carry within us is most important. While we are not leaving from Nazareth, we are leaving for Bethlehem. Our song might also express how honored we are, how unworthy of this marvelous gift, how God remains faithful to His promises of the past, and how determined He is to release His blessings into the future. We do well to understand the gift to us.
THE PRAYER: O Advent Lord, bless us as we leave for Bethlehem. Grant that we leave what we can and take what we must. Amen.
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