Philip Hagreen Natus Est (He is born) from the Methodist Modern Art Collection © TMCP, used with permission. www.methodist.org.uk/artcollection

She gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. Matthew 1:25

Welcome

It’s said that every new beginning results from an ending it didn’t think it would survive. Here the prophetic silence of 400 years between the testaments is now broken. Now, finally, good news is announced - a birth. Maybe this is a timely reminder. God doesn’t seem to be in a hurry, can bide His time. He is slow to anger. He is patient wanting and waiting for us to stop and to notice.

The son of man is born. He is welcomed and received with awe and devotion. The grace, the elegance and the simplicity of these woodcuts about this epic historical event moves me. Maybe with so much violence and coarseness around, on our streets, on our screens, even in our own hearts, this dignity and reverence may melts us, soften us and takes us to that deep, holy and welcoming place within us.

Question

Mary said her ‘yes’ to her new beginning. What is the ‘yes’ before me, at this point in my life? What welcome am I offered and also encouraged to offer?