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Wishes #18


Last week a leader of our worship service asked me if I would speak about being a Mary during the Christmas season.  Although I didn't really know what I'd say, I said that I would speak.  I joked with him about not bringing up the "Virgin Mary" part of the story.  Throughout the week, I thought about what I might say and wondered if it was blasphemous.  I also WISHED I had declined the offer. When I came across a writing, I knew I could figure it out, and I did.  I was satisfied speaking without notes, but I WISH I would have brought my glasses to read the quote I had brought.  Without glasses, I struggled through the reading, but all were patient.

Basically, I started by talking about my name.  My mother was named Mary Ethelyn, but changed her name to Lynne when she was old enough because she didn't like her original name.  I talked about how I always thought my name was a burden as I thought perhaps the baby Jesus had been to Mary.  After all, she wasn't like Elizabeth who had waited and waited for a baby.  She wasn't really given a choice.  Besides, in the pictures and nativity scenes I remember from my youth, she's rarely holding or touching the baby who is always in the hay filled manger.  I talked about always wanting to be an angel with the white cotton dresses, angel wings, and a halo.  Let's be honest, I've always wanted a halo.  Instead Mary had to wear the brown itchy covering.  Why couldn't I be an angel?  Why did I have to be "Mary?" Plus, Mary always seemed passive, and I'm not too passive, although our pastor discussed her strength a couple of weeks ago.  Finally, I shared this reading.  "Mary passes these words of hope into the world... 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor... and to let the oppressed go free.'  Mary's words of liberation and freedom set the stage for the beginning of a new sense of deliverance and hope for a dark and fearful world."  Ending with this quote, I announced that a Mary that helps the oppressed and the poor was a Mary I could embrace.


Comments

LH said…
Kind of neat to talk about being a Mary.

It's a good name.
12:11 PM
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