How can we open ourselves up this Christmas to love and joy? The lectionary readings today offer one nourishing approach. It gives us narratives instead of formulas, stories instead of doctrines. And the stories portray David, Mary, and Jesus in a new and fresh way.
Look first at King David, the most vividly realized personality in the Old Testament and indeed in the entire Bible apart from Jesus. David’s origin was humble; from a lowly shepherd he became a metaphorical shepherd, a king. Like many others who came from nothing, his rise to power was bloody and raised questions regarding his ethics. But the most important thing about this multifaceted man was not his talents but God’s choosing him. In today’s passage God promises him a house, that is, a dynasty that will last forever. God’s promise that “Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever” was not just flowery talk; it committed God to this particular family forever. Even when the Davidic royal house went into exile and lost all power, God never forgot the promise. The reason the angel comes to Mary is that her husband Joseph is of the family of David. God’s commitment extends through centuries, remaining valid even when only a faint memory. The ambiguity of David’s own character, the ups and downs of the Davidic house, and the unworthiness of many of its kings, could not erase God’s promise to be “with David.”
The second character in the Lectionary is Mary. The biblical accounts give us an unsentimental picture. Something momentous is about to happen, and an announcement is made to a woman from a village! Like David, she found favor with God and, again like David, God’s favor does not so much bring immediate honor as it brings an opportunity to play an important role in God’s plan. Despite the risk, she accepts the invitation of God: “Be it done to me according to your word.” Mary is memorable because she saw what God was doing in human history and did not withdraw from the role she was invited to play.
The last character in the Christmas story is Jesus, not yet acting but an unborn child, spoken about rather than speaking. His titles, Son of God and Son of Man, express the two sides of Jesus: he is divine and he is human. He is the word made flesh, a true human being, like that most human of biblical characters, David.
These three characters, David, Mary, and the not-yet-born Jesus under his titles, bring clarity to our Advent meditations. David shows us God’s fidelity to his promise. God’s word will come true. Mary is an example of brave response and integral witnessing to others of God’s generous gift of Godself. Jesus is Son of God and Son of David, God among us, God with us. Let these three be our teachers and guides during the Christmas season.