Advent Reflection- Day #23 (Monday in the Fourth Week of Advent)

​Isaiah gives King Ahaz instructions from God – But Ahaz does not appear to trust God and refuses the blessing that God has promised. God knocked but Ahaz refused to open the door to God. God, through Isaiah, promises a blessing anyway – a sign of His great benevolence and mercy - 'a virgin shall conceive and bear Emmanuel' – God with us.

We find the fulfillment of God's blessing through Mary. Mary, trusting in God completely, gives her fiat – her yes to God's messenger - the angel Gabriel - “Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.“  Regardless of the joy or pain Mary would experience in saying yes to God's blessing, she trusted and accepted it. Mary's yes to the will of God, opened the door to our salvation – God knocked – Mary let God in.

God gave us a blessing – His only begotten Son – through the humble yes of Mary. As we await the celebration of the blessing we received in Mary's yes, let us acknowledge the blessings we receive each day from God, and Let us always seek the face of the God of Jacob and in doing so say “Yes” to the blessings from the LORD in whatever manner they may come. Let us open the door when God knocks and say yes to His will for us.

​-Deacon Joe