“Now the birth of Jesus took place in this way….” (Matthew 1:18-25)
Matthew’s description of how Jesus’ birth happens does not mention anything that is on my to-do list. There is no busyness in his description. There are very few words spoken. Mary and Joseph are silent. They say nothing. An angel announces and declares as angels do, but there are no explanations of how this birth can be only a declaration that it is. The angel offers no explanations. So maybe the real work, the final work of Advent, is to get out of the way and let the baby be born. Get out of the way and let the baby be born. Such difficult work. Such necessary work. Such holy work.
