We are about to celebrate a day of generosity. We will gather and open presents which are wrapped with paper and maybe a little anxiety? We think, “Will they like what I bought? Did I get the right size?” I know that I have reached the age when I am a difficult person to buy a present for. I don’t really need anything. I tell my children that their mother and I would be happy for a photograph with all of them together. “No, no,” they say, “that’s much too small.” Then again, what’s more important to a mother than her children?

         We often have to overcome our needs in giving the gift to offer what is truly desired by the one who receives. Part of the stress of the holidays is all the emotional strings we attach to our attempts at generosity. If we get it right, we strengthen those relationships that are important to us. If we try too hard to control the outcome of our offerings and gatherings, we may be disappointed.

         King David was very grateful for all that God had done for him. After a long life where God had stood by him in good times and hard times, David thinks that it is a shame that God is worshipped in a tent while he lives in the comfort of a palace. He decides to build God a temple – a fitting place to worship and glorify God.

         God tells the prophet Nathan to set aside this good intention. Does God need a roof? Or did God need anything better than a tent when God defeated the Egyptians or wandered with the people in the wilderness? The blessings that God has given David are not dependent on David’s good intentions. All along it has been God’s generosity that has helped King David and the people to succeed and flourish. David wants to build a temple, but God wants to build something else. God will build a house, but it will be the people of God. The house God will build is an undying dynasty of a holy people, who worship God more fittingly than any other people in any other place – no matter how magnificent their temple.

         We are surrounded by symbols that remind us of our blessings. We are apt to learn the wrong lesson. We are tempted to buy wonderful gifts and to try and produce a celebration that matches what God has given us. We want to show our gratitude, but God desires a different path. God wants us to acknowledge what has been given and live the life that is offered. It sounds simple, but it is much more difficult.

         God does not promise a place of ease without a journey of difficulty. God does not promise plenty until we have felt keenly the want of the poor. Mary gives us a wonderful hymn of praise that reminds us how God is generous and to whom God is generous. God has mercy on those who depend upon God, and God scatters the proud. The mighty are cast down and the lowly are lifted up. The hungry are filled and the rich are sent away empty. This is good news for those who suffer and for those who are powerless. It is bad news for the powerful and the satisfied.

         Perhaps this is good news for us. We’ve got our share of troubles. Things are not turning out the way we’d like. Maybe the news we need to remember that when things are at their worse, it is the time that God can act. If we can let go of the gift we would give, maybe we can have room for the gift God desires to give us.

         Mary is our model for this. The angel comes to her and says to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” (Then follows one of the great understatements in scripture, “But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.” I’ll bet she did!) God didn’t ask her to give anything or do anything. The angel simply announces what God will do, and the implications of this unexpected generosity. Mary simply accepts what God offers. This is no easy thing – especially for Mary at that time and in that place. We are offered similar gifts from God, perhaps not as unique, but still on God’s terms and not our own.

         This may be our secret blessing this season. We want to be in a place where we can give and be generous. There’s nothing wrong with that. But maybe we don’t have to be disappointed when we find ourselves in a place of want and difficulty. Maybe God desires to give us something unexpected. Maybe we will find blessing in abandoning all our illusions of power and control. Maybe we can give up our dream for this beautiful temple and begin to embrace God’s desire to make us holy people.

         What we need is the courage of Mary: to accept God’s gifts on God’s terms, and let God bless us in the way that will give us life.