The centuries-old longing was alive and well when the angel Gabriel arrived on the scene. With her faithful yes, a young Nazarene girl entered the holy echo of calls for the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah. Mary became the vehicle through which God would send Emmanuel, “God with us.” With the Annunciation, she becomes a willing, humble participant in that holy call. The arrival of the Messiah was at hand, but began with another kind of waiting. 

How was Mary sustained in her waiting? Mary waited with God…Emmanuel, the God who is with us. Luke 2:19, “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart,” tells us that Mary also had a contemplative nature. She not only kept the written Word of God in her heart during childhood, but had now chosen to keep Gabriel’s message from God alive in her heart to sustain her in the waiting season of pregnancy. 

Have you been waiting for so long? Don’t just wait. Like Mary, wait with God. Without Him, the waiting is empty. Fear creeps in and doubt plagues us. Impatience dominates. But with God, there is a companion on the journey. Someone to talk to who understands completely. Like Mary, keep His Word in your heart and reflect upon it. Whether it is written in the Bible or spoken to the heart, His every Word sustains us.

Wait with God and His Word; generate strength and endurance within. From this waiting will also spring forth hope. “My soul, be at rest in God alone, from whom comes my hope.” (Psalm 62:6) During this Advent season of waiting, and in all the waiting seasons of life, remember that God is with us, Emmanuel, now and forevermore. Amen. 

 
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