Words of Faith: Celebrate Christmas the best way – with open hearts

What are your favorite ways to celebrate Christmas? Singing Christmas Carols? Gathering for dinner? Giving gifts? Watching the delight of children on Christmas morning? How about by being a God bearer?

This is what Mary was. The church for centuries has given her the title of theotokis. This Latin word means God bearer. She literally bore God into the world.

Mary was a young unmarried woman – probably 14 or so. She had been committed to a man named Joseph. Her parents probably made this commitment for her. This commitment was more than what we think of as an engagement. It was legally binding. But they had not yet come together to live as husband and wife. Then the unexpected happened. Mary had an encounter with an angel, Gabriel, sent from God. This angel brought Mary a message from God. “Greeting favored one! The Lord is with you.”

Now as you might image this kind of encounter could be frightening. Mary was “perplexed” and Gabriel then said “Do not be afraid ... for you have found favor with God.” Then he went on to tell Mary that she will bear a son who will be holy, who will be called Son of God. After hearing all Gabriel said and after asking her own questions, she agreed to God’s plan. She said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Mary willingly agreed to bring God into his world.

As Jesus’ followers today, we follow Mary’s example. We are also called to help bring Jesus into his world and into the lives of his people. We are also to be theotokis – God bearers. This is what ministry is about – allowing God to dwell in our lives, allowing God to be in his world through us.

So what do our lives look like when we are God bearers? Mary’s life gives us a glimpse. Though she faced the unknown, she trusted God. She heard the promise for her life. She heard the good news from angel that her cousin Elizabeth, who had been barren, was now to give birth. And she heard the claim that nothing would be impossible for God. Then she trusted. She placed her faith in God. She said, “Let it be.”

For us, bearing God in our lives also means trust. It begins with listening and praying – allowing God to teach us, to lead us, to guide us. This trust is built further as we read the Bible and as we gather in community. In these ways, our lives are nourished by the presence of God. In these ways, God shows us the ministry that he has for us, the ways in which we will bear his life in into the world.

The ways in which we are called to be God bearers will vary. We may be called to care for others, maybe to be present with those who are sick or aging. Maybe we are called to serve – perhaps by feeding the hungry. Maybe we are called to be God bearers by being his witnesses – by telling others of the many ways in which we have experienced the love and life of God.

Being a God bearer in our world is not easy. It takes hard work. It requires sacrifice. It may result in rejection. By agreeing to bear God’s son, Mary took a risk. She was probably ridiculed by those around her. Surely her situation caused tongues to wag in the tiny town of Nazareth.

Sometimes when we bear God in our lives, we also face trials. Some may oppose us. Others may reject us. Often God’s priorities do not reflect the priorities of our world. But no matter the struggle we encounter, we are not alone. God will provide. God’s Holy Spirit will come upon us and empower us – just as the Holy Spirit came upon Mary and made her the theotokis. When God is present, nothing will be impossible.

So this Christmas, as we celebrate in all the usual ways, remember that there is also another way to celebrate – perhaps the best way. Open your hearts. Trust in God. Bear the life of God into his world. Then our world will be filled with joy and the life of God will live among us.

This story was originally published December 7, 2015 at 10:39 AM with the headline "Words of Faith: Celebrate Christmas the best way – with open hearts."