Necessary

If you had to produce something vitally important, where would you put your efforts? Wouldn’t you shift toward what helps most—the thing needed in that moment? Advent opens up to us when we recognize how God sees what is necessary. Advent is when we take the time to recognize what must be. That’s what happens in the Christmas story. Again and again we hear, “this happened to fulfill…” Obedience, hospitality, worship—each response rises to the top because it was necessary.

Mary recognized the need of the moment. When Gabriel announced God’s plan, she stepped forward: “Let it be to me according to your word.” Without her surrender, hope would not have entered our world. Mary stepped into be available.

Joseph chose courage over convention, receiving Mary and protecting her. His obedience ensured they went to Bethlehem, the place where prophecy had to be fulfilled. What looked like political happenstance, the census became the means by which prophecy was fulfilled. It became the means by which the Messiah was born in the right town, at the right time. Joseph was in place and ready.

Jesus was laid in a feeding trough, not a cradle of power, because it was necessary for us to see that strength and status are not required. Presence is required.

          And that’s the core of how necessity is expressed in our story: presence.

The presence of God with us. The presence of Jesus as one of us. The presence of us with one another, following his example. Presence is necessary.

This theme resurfaces later in Jesus’ ministry. In Bethany, Martha busied herself with hospitality, wanting everything to be perfect. But her sister Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, listening, learning, opening her heart. When Martha complained, Jesus answered:

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41–42)

          Advent is our season to learn, once again, that presence is necessary. God with us, us with one another. And in being present we become part of “this happened to fulfill.”