Advent: Do miracles happen?

I spent the second week of Advent on a silent retreat in Chiangmai contemplating the mystery of God

In the poem below, I’ve tried to imagine how Christmas might have been different, if Mary had chosen to see God’s messenger one way rather than another.

Mary? Mary?
 

When the Angel Gabriel comes to ask
 What does Mary say?

Alone in the old man’s house
 
 Keeping company with the sawdust
 Dreading the dusk

A girl in her situation
 Odds are infinity to none God’s messenger might come calling

She takes what she’s offered
 – The city slicker gilded and groomed
 – The glitter of the next town
 
 – The thirty pieces of silver
 She lets him have his way
 Come what may …

Odds are infinity to none a girl might find herself in such a situation
 God’s messenger waiting

She says yes to what’s given
 
 – The Holy Spirit in all his glory
 
 – The Messiah baby in the manger
 
 – Her beloved Son hung up upon the tree
 His Will be done
 Come what may …

For better or worse
 Damnation or salvation
 Her answer’s given
 Her choice is made
 Come what may …
 

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