milk & honey mamas

Story contributed by Kristen

Gabriel

Gabriel loved her great, great, granddaughter Mary. Gabriel watched Mary grow into a curious, kind, tender-hearted girl. Gabriel knew Mary’s favorite flowers, and her favorite foods, and the way she liked to sing as she worked. Gabriel hoped for Mary’s life to be filled with peace and joy. When Father and Mother God asked her to give Mary a message, Gabriel happily agreed.

“She’s going to have a baby,” Mother God said. “And we know Mary’s heart. This baby will be Jesus.” 

Gabriel gasped. “Jesus?” She said, “the Messiah they’ve been waiting for?”

“Yes,” said Mother God, and she paused. Her eyes were filled with tears. “But Gabriel,” she said, “please tell Mary that we have always been with her. That we will come to the world with Jesus because we love the world. And we are not far away.”

Gabriel smiled. “I know Mary, too,” she said, “You can trust her.”

The next day, Mary went to the well for water. Gabriel was there, waiting for her. 

“Mary,” she said, “you don’t know me, but I know you. I have come to bring you a message from God.” She reached out, smiling warmly. “The Lord is with you,” she said softly. “You will have a baby. His name will be Yeshua, and he will be the Messiah.”

“Me?” said Mary, “I will be the mother of the Messiah? But how can this be?”

Gabriel looked lovingly at Mary. “My child,” she said, “there are many mysteries without answers. But always remember this: The Lord is with you. Go to your cousin Elisabeth. She is also expecting a baby. She will help you understand.”

And Gabriel put her hand on Mary’s head and whispered a blessing, soft enough for only Mary to hear. And then she was gone, and Mary sat at the well and knew she would need great courage. So she closed her eyes and repeated Gabriel’s words: The Lord is with you.

Song

Compiled by Caroline

 Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, Rain for Roots

Come Light Our Hearts, Rain for Roots

Poem

Compiled by Caroline

A Christmas Prayer

By Robert Louis Stevenson

Loving Father,
Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,and worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate
and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift
and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing
which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning
make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds
with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven,
for Jesus’ sake.

Amen.

Art

Compiled by Caroline

Activity

Contributed by Kristen

Knowing that God is with us gives us hope. Light the first candle of advent and choose an activity. See our resources for lots of great ideas!