The sentence jumped right off the page when I read it.
“Father, whatever it is that you have
decided to give, we embrace.”
—Jen Pollack
Michel, Teach Us to Want
Embrace. It means to hold someone closely in one’s arms,
to accept or support willingly and enthusiastically. I think about a young Mary
and the angel’s visitation. I would have asked the same question: “How in the
world is this going to happen? I’m not sure if you are aware, but I’m a
virgin.” In the moment of wonder, to the impossible words of an angel, she
replied, “Whatever it is that You have decided to give, I embrace.”
And Joseph troubled to the point of quiet divorce. When
he finally slept, the angel spoke in a dream, “Joseph, son of David, do not be
afraid to take Mary home as your wife…” When he awoke, his actions spoke louder
than words, “Whatever it is that You have decided to give, I embrace.”
Caesar issued a decree sending the very pregnant Mary and
her husband Joseph on the long journey to Nazareth. “Father, whatever it is
that You have decided to give, I embrace.”
They embrace a baby born in a stable. Shepherds embrace
the message of angels. Wise men embrace the journey to see the new born King.
When God calls me to hard things, embrace is not the word I would use to describe my attitude.
Acceptance… yes. Obedience… sometimes. But embrace… not often. I’m a lot like
the young child stomping off to clean her room letting everyone know I’m
obeying but I’m not liking it!
As I approach the manger, I am seeking a sort of gift
exchange. I’m wrapping up my attitude of white knuckled acceptance and hoping
to never open it again. It doesn’t seem like much of a gift. Not one Jesus
would need to open really. But maybe He will. Maybe He will open my gift and do
what He does best… redeem it. He’ll take what’s inside and teach me how to
embrace His will and His way for me. He’ll show me how to be more like Mary and
Joseph. He’ll create in me a heart that responds…
Jesus, whatever it is that You have decided
to give, I embrace… Amen.
Stacy Boyer
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