From the UCC Network: Devotional for 12/19 "The Best Advice I Ever Got"

The Best Advice I Ever Got

Excerpt from Luke 1: 25-35

“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God”

Reflection by Ron Buford

As a child, our home was one of the places visiting ministers came to stay -- sometimes for a few days of preaching, sometimes for a week. Each day was like Sunday – especially at mealtime. At dinner, divergent perspectives on the Bible, controversies of the day along with laughter filled the air, mingling with the fragrances of truly amazing food.

On one such night, our visiting minister was the late Rev. Elestine Corbin, from Youngstown, Ohio—an excellent preacher and storyteller who could nearly sing the heavens open. Back home after church one night, over Queen Dorothy’s (my mom’s) homemade pound cake—just out of the oven and still warm—Rev. Corbin took time to chat with me, just the two of us.

Talking about the challenges of being a single black woman evangelist out in the world, she said, “Ronnie, the two most important gifts to pray for in life are: Favor with God; and favor with people.” Pausing for more cake, she moaned and continued, “Education and intelligence are essential. Good manners are a must. But Divine favor and favor with people are the active ingredients that make the other two work right.” Letting out a “Ha!,” she looked me in the eye and as if looking through me, said, “Son, with that, you’ll be able to do almost anything.”

That was the best advice I ever got, and not just for me, but for people of all stripes, weighed down sometimes and trying to get through life with joy and self-respect.

Do not be afraid, Mary, when people won’t believe your story about Jesus’ birth.

Do not be afraid, Mary, when people say bad things about this child of your heart.

Do not be afraid, Mary, when your baby is ripped from your arms, cursed publicly, spat upon and hung on a cross . . and they said it was “good news”

No matter how bad it looks, hang on and remember . . .  you have found favor with God.

And even when you no longer believe it, remember this moment. It’s gonna be alright. Truly, you have found favor . . . with God!

Prayer

Ha!  Amen and Amen!

About the Author Ron Buford, former coordinator of the UCC’s God is still speaking campaign, currently serves as Director of Development for the Northern California Nevada Conference. A consultant, group leader and speaker, he appears in Living the Questions: Resourcing Progressive Christians.

Daily Prayer

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT

The Birth of Jesus the Messiah

¹⁸ This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.¹⁹ Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.²⁰ As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.²¹ And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”²² All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: ²³ “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” ²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.²⁵ But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

Matt 1:18-25 (NLT)

And so the story begins, but not as a sweet comforting tale. It begins as a scandal. Decent and faithful couple. In love. Engaged, and not yet married. And then ... and then a pregnancy.

The gossip must have spread like wildfire. The chattering of the news, behind closed doors at night, and in the marketplace at noon. “Were you aware?” “Did you hear about Mary; the girl engaged to that carpenter Joseph?” “Can you believe it?” "What a tragedy!" “What will that poor Joseph do?”

Joseph: Confused. Embarrassed. Ashamed. Angry? But so very much in love. “How could this be?” “What do I do now?”  “To whom can I turn?” How do I end this without hurting her?” “Can I?” “Should I?” Tired. Worn out. “I need some rest – some comfort – some sleep – if only I could.”

Exhaustion, and a dream. A voice as real as his breathing, and as the beat of his heart:

“Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.²¹ And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Despite the talk and pointing fingers. Despite the shattering of customs. Despite the disgrace of it all; a bride was taken. A family was formed, with questioning hearts that were now filled with hope. Hope for a healthy son. Hope for a different future. Hope that something good would rise up out of the ashes of their humiliation. A hope for the world. 

Waiting and hoping for the One whom would be named:

"Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

Rev. Michael Kirchhoff