The best gift of all

The cookies are on the table, your stocking is hanging up, and you're in bed, trying to sleep so Santa can come....But you're worried! There are between five and seven BILLION people in the world right now for Santa to visit. What if he misses your house?

Mary would understand your worries. Before the very first Christmas, she had worries of her own. We read about them in this week's Gospel (Luke 1:26-38):

An angel of God visited Mary and told her, "Congratulations! You're going to have a baby, and name Him Jesus." Mary was worried and scared. How could she be the mother of God? "The Holy Spirit will be with you," the angel said. "Remember, nothing's impossible for God." Mary answered: "I am God's servant. I'll do what you say."

While you're waiting for Christmas, you try to be extra good -- but sometimes, you worry that you haven't been good enough. If you hit your sister for tickling you, does that mean you won't get the remote-control car you asked for? What if there's nothing at all in your stocking on Christmas Day?

Mary worried about what would happen to her, too. She was very young and about to get married, and now, she was also going to have a baby who would be God's Son! It's hard to be extra good before Christmas, but Mary worried that she couldn't possibly be good enough to be Jesus' mother.

After you've lain in bed worrying about Santa for a while, you give up and fall asleep, trusting that you'll find a present or two when you wake up in the morning. Just like you, Mary gave in when the angel comforted her, telling her that God would take care of her.

"Okay," she told the angel; "I trust God, and if God wants this for me, I'll do it."

And she got a better present than anything Santa could ever bring you: On the first Christmas Day, she got to be the mother of the Son of God.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me remember that Christmas isn't just a day for presents -- it's your birthday! Amen. And Merry Christmas!

(12-19-96) [[In-content Ad]]