And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. – Luke 1:38
In these final days of Advent, we narrow the focus of our waiting. The weeks of longing, preparation, and hope bring us to love – the kind of love that does not remain distant or abstract but comes near.
When the angel’s message settles in her heart, Mary responds with simple, courageous trust: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Love enters the world through her “yes.” God does not choose to save the world from a distance, but through closeness – through a body, a womb, a fully human life.
That kind of trust – saying yes without clarity – has often marked my own journey of faith and ministry. From my call to seminary to each church I have served, God hasn’t provided a full road map, but He has constantly placed the right people along the way and opened doors through circumstances that made it undeniable: You are not alone. I am with you. Each step required following before fully knowing, trusting that love was already present, already at work.
Advent love is often quiet like that. It does not announce itself with certainty or control. Instead, it looks like faithfulness in the unknown, openness to God’s presence, and the courage to trust that God is already drawing near. As we wait on the edge of Christmas, we are invited to notice where love is coming close to us now – in small gestures, unexpected grace, or a gentle invitation to say “yes.”
Loving God, as we wait and wonder, help us trust Your nearness and give us the courage to follow where Your love leads. Amen.