Mary, upon learning she would be the mother of Jesus, the Messiah: “God has remembered to be merciful. For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.” Luke 1:51–55
Heavenly Father, we join Mary today in praise of your memory—what you choose to remember, and what you choose to not remember. Both are expressions of how you are “the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort” to us (2 Cor.1:3).
Mary sang about Jesus’ birth as the day you “remembered to be merciful.” Not implying you could ever forget to be merciful; or, as the “Ancient of Days,” experience a “senior moment.” Just the opposite, Abba, for you are faithful to every promise you have made, and every promise you have made is conceived, saturated, and pregnant with your mercy.
You promised Abraham that, in time, you would redeem an every-nation family for yourself, as numerous as the stars, sand, and dust (Genesis 12-17; Revelation 7). That’s how over-the-top the mathematics of your mercy actually are. And your gift of Jesus underscores that you, literally, spared no expense to be worthy of the name, “Father of mercies.”
Father, I end my reflection and prayer today with one of my favorite promises of yours. You have promised never to remember our sins against us (Hebrews 8:12; 10:17). Better than amnesia, this is your glorious commitment to remain constant in your acceptance, love, and delight towards us. How can you do this? Because you remember Jesus for us, you will never remember our sins against us. Hallelujah!
O Father, as your children of mercy, free us to remember to be merciful too … especially one week out from Christmas Eve. No matter the brokenness we will encounter in our family gatherings, workplace, and our web or relationships, may our first, middle, and last response emit your mercy and the aroma of grace. So Very Amen.
