What happens if we say Yes?

          A poem by Cheryl Kristolaitis, found in Seasons of the Spirit worship/education material a few years back, provides a provocative question. It's a good one for any season, but especially for Advent:

For those who say no to the angels

I felt the brush of angel's wings across my face.
Looked up, startled,
and felt my life fall away
like so many pieces of shattered glass.
"Don't be afraid," a voice said,
as if this was something I could assimilate
and go on with my day.
Don't be afraid
even though the cosmos has shifted
and heaven has walked into the room.
"I have something I want you to do."
At least I thought that's what I heard.
But to tell the truth I was still staring
at that blend of light and motion
that seemed to mesmerize me in my place.
I don't know how I responded
except I am sure that I didn't say yes.
Maybe.
Give me some time.
Let me think this through.
Half certain that when the light had left the room
I could convince myself that it was only
the way the sun filtered itself though the clouds that day.
But I couldn't.
I felt the brush of angel's wings
and want that moment back
I want to know what would have happened
if I had said yes.

          The poet partly reflects on the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary (Luke 1:26 - 38) but makes it personal. We aren't Mary, of course. But what if, in this turbuletn year 2005, in the very midst of our rushed, fragmented and distracted lives, the angel requests that we provide a new birth of Christ? One that occurs because we allow the Spirit to transform us this year, to make Christ known in our families, in other relationships, through our church's ministr?

          It's only a fantasy -- or is it? What happens if we say Yes?

Peace,

Rod