“O Lord, How Shall I Meet You?” (ELW 241)
Our theme hymn for Advent so fittingly mirrors Mary’s question to the angel in
this week’s gospel reading: “O Lord, how shall I meet you?” Though the specific
words chosen by the poet may differ from Luke’s story of the Annunciation
of God’s promise to Mary, the themes and the power of God’s promises
still capture our hearts. We hear of the longing and hope of a world held in
bondage and fear. We hear of the depth of God’s love that reached out to
embrace and liberate God’s people in the birth of God’s Son. And we hear of
the power of that love to transform sadness and gloom into a joy like that at
the sunrise— and we are led to respond like Mary with faith in God's power to
lead us safely home to God’s kingdom. Let it be also to us according to your
word of promise.
God of excelling love, thank you for reaching out to embrace my longing for your
presence. May the good news of freedom in the birth of your Son continue to dispel
the gloom and fill me with joy and delight in this season. Amen.
