The Annunciation

Gabriel came to Mary, and announced to her that she would bear the Messiah; and she said, “Let it be done to me as you say.” In the same way, Christ comes to us, asking to come in; and we must choose to let him in or not. Sometimes we hear his knock, but do not go to the door; and all too often we do not even hear him, knock as he may.

The Visitation

Mary conceived; and shortly thereafter she went to her cousin Elizabeth, to assist her in the final months of her pregnancy. Just so, when Christ is conceived in our hearts he calls us to bear him to others in service as Mary bore him to Elizabeth.

The Nativity

In due course, Mary, a humble woman, gave birth to the Lord God Almighty. Just so, if we bear Christ in service to others as he directs, so will we bear fruit beyond all that we can imagine or understand. Christ is what we bear, and Christ is the fruit that results.

The Presentation in the Temple

Mary brought Jesus to the Temple; and there was met by Simeon. Simeon was a holy man who had been waiting patiently for his messiah for his entire life, trusting in the Lord to preserve him until that day. We must bear Christ to others; and among them will be those whom Christ has been preparing to receive us. Sometimes we will know those to whom we are going; but more often it will be a surprise. Indeed, often we will not know how others received Christ in us until we meet them again in Heaven.

Jesus and the Teachers of the Law

Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to Jerusalem, to the Temple, when he was twelve. And later, having missed him, they found him there in his Father’s house, doing his Father’s business. When we bear Christ to others, he will act; and he need not act as we expect. Instead, he will do more than we can ask or imagine. We are his instruments; it is not for the hammer to decide where the nail shall go.

And yet, when Mary and Joseph called to him, Jesus came and was obedient to them. Christ will never override our wills. We cannot say to him, “Do this,” or “Do that,” but we can say to him, “I will” or “I won’t.” Because he wills to use us as his instruments, we can thwart his purpose in our lives by refusing to be used—or, by insisting on being used as we see fit.

It was proper for Jesus to be obedient to his parents, for they were in authority over him. Just so, it is proper for us to be obedient to our Lord and King, and to seek to be moved by his will in all things. We must bear Christ with us where ever we go; and if we are ready to his hand we will bear much fruit.