Here I Am: A 21st Century Worship Resource for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B

Mary (pensively): I see an angel, Lord. What are you sending this messenger to say? What have I done? Lord, please open my ears that I may hear and understand him.

Angel: Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.

Mary: Sir, please explain. The Lord is with me? I am favored?

Angel: Be calm! God has chosen you. Very soon your womb will be filled with a son, and his name will be Jesus. God has a great future planned for him. He will be called the Son of the Most High; God will give him King David's throne; He will always rule over Jacob's house, and His kingdom will have no end.

Mary (gasp): A son? (pause) I am engaged to Joseph and … we are waiting … I am still a virgin … (Pauses, looks at the angel and ands says slowly) Say that again?

Angel: This will happen differently. The Holy Spirit will deposit this child in you. He will be born holy and called the Son of God. God can do anything! Do you remember what He did for your cousin Elizabeth? Now it is your turn to see him do something miraculous for you. So…

Mary (tenderly): Here I am Lord. I believe you can do anything. Yes, I am willing to be your servant. You must really trust me …

Mary (prayerfully): Lord, I heard and reflected on what Gabriel said. Here's my unused womb. Use it to bear the Gift of your Son to the world. It is your plan and it is my will.

(Softly begin the song "Here I am to Worship" as Mary's voice trails…)

Mary: I wonder, what will Joseph think? What will others think? …

Carlene Lenore is a member of Kairos Community African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church located in Antioch, Tennessee.

*Here I Am © 2008, 2011Carlene Lenore. All Rights Reserved. Posted with permission on the Discipleship Ministries Worship website.