1 Sunday, December 18, 2011 Advent IV Pastor Dena Williams Denver, Colorado Micah 5:2-5 Luke 1:47-55 Hebrews

10:5-10 Luke 1:39-45 The Holy Gospel according to the Community of St. Luke in the 1st Chapter Glory to you, O Lord First Love The angel Gabriel comes to tell Mary she will bear a son. Soon after the angel departs, Mary goes quickly to visit her relatives, Elizabeth and Zechariah. We dont really know why Mary went to the town in the hill country to visit relatives. Perhaps she is confused by the angels announcement and seeks comfort and reassurance from Elizabeth. Maybe she feels the need to get away from the hometown folks and their questions. Mary could not hope for a warmer reception. Elizabeth welcomes her with a loud and joyous cry. She calls her blessed. If Mary is worried about Elizabeths response to her pregnancy, she neednt be. Elizabeth not only acknowledges and accepts Marys condition, she calls the fruit of her womb blessed. She exclaims that she does not know why such a wonderful thing has happened to her

2 that the mother of her Lord comes to visit her. Elizabeth loves Mary with a first love, a fresh love, a love that brings acceptance and affirmation and joy. Do you have a relative or friend who loves you that way, no matter what? Mary begins to sing. She sings of her love for God. She praises God for looking on her with favor. I wonder if she would be so excited and accepting of this pregnancy, if she lacked the love and acceptance of Elizabeth. I wonder if she would be ashamed and hesitant, if Elizabeth did not share first love with her. Is there someone in your life who needs for you to love and affirm them in this way, no matter what? First love . . . For some, first love is remembered as that love felt for a lifes partner during the early days of your time together. I hope first love is rekindled for you and your partner from time to time. I hope the joy of each others presence or the memory of that presence, is sometimes almost too much to bear. For some, first love is remembered as that love felt for a newborn child, the first time you held your son or daughter in your arms. I hope the joy of parenting comes to you often in new and delightful ways. I hope you take such delight in your children, or in your memory of them,

3 you are sometimes unable to contain your pride and affection for them. For some, first love is the long remembered love you know your parents or grandparents or aunts or uncles had or have for you. I hope you have memories to recall of the joys that come with being well parented by your biological parents, or perhaps by other significant adults in your life. I hope you remember how your parents or others treasured you, first as a child, then later as a young person, and as an adult. I hope you have experienced first love, no matter what love, in your life. For if you know first love, you have a glimpse of the kind of love God has for you. Mary glimpsed Gods love in the love and acceptance she found in Elizabeths arms. We glimpse Gods love in the love and acceptance we find in our lives, in one another. The love we experience in our earthly relationships brings us amazing joy. Our love for one another sustains us and gives us hope. We delight in the human love we have for one another. Love among us gives us a reason to live. If we can imagine this kind of love, this first love, magnified to infinity, we know Gods love for us and for all people. Gods love is beyond our imagining. The very best love, the first love we experience,

4 provides merely a glimpse of the magnitude of Gods love for us, divine love comes to us as a little child. Imagine Marys love for her newborn, her first love, magnify her love to infinity, then glimpse Gods no matter what love for you and for all people. Amen