Better than a Fairy Tale

Saturday, December 5, 2015                                                                  Luke 1:68-79

Chad Folk

Mary’s proclamation in Luke’s gospel displays a unique side of Mary.  Have you noticed that Mary, as a teenager, knew her faith history so well? I picture her sitting beside a warm fire listening to an older relative, telling the stories about Israel’s past and future. The story that warmed her heart more than the burning coals was the one that promised a savior, a Messiah! Do you think this young girl was wondering if it was all a Fairy tale?

In our current day of social media and access to information anytime, I can’t imagine what it was like for Mary and the other Jewish followers.  They were waiting for years, recounting the narratives of their ancestors from Abraham, Jacob to Joseph, over and over. Remembering about warriors such as Joshua and David and prophets such as Elijah, Isaiah, and Malachi. Great leaders like Nehemiah and Caleb.  Can’t you hear Mary thinking as she gazed at the weathered face of town elder telling these tales, “Can this be real?”

Suddenly, Gabriel appeared and all those “tall” tales were transformed into a promise that her people always longed for, no-- needed to be real!  Not only that, but she was to play the lead role in this amazing story going forward! Praise be to God.

Most likely we will never be asked to carry out a task like Mary.  However, it does not take Christmas for us to tell the greatest story of all time over and over like the Israelites did for so many years.

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,

    because he has come to his people and redeemed them.

He has raised up a horn of salvation for us (Luke 1:68-69)

That is a story that warms my heart. How about you? A story that is even better than a Fairy tale.