Sojourner Truth famously said, “Christ came from God and a woman. Man had nothing to do with him.” This miracle of our Savior’s birth, a co-creation between God and a woman, leads us to call Mother Mary the theotokos or God-bearer – she who pushed Christ into the world. What an extraordinary model Mary offers the world. In her tremendous assignment to push love into existence, she reminds all people of their purpose, while on this earthly sojourn. Become a theotokos. Become a God-bearer, pushing love into the world.

Mother/Father God, Creator of us all, how we long to give birth to love. Thank you for the example of Mary who opened her body, heart, and mind to your plan. Help us to open body, heart, and mind to your ongoing endeavor to bring love to a lost and broken world that you love with everything you’ve got. Bless the mothers of the world and those who long to be mothers but are unable. Bless those who struggle in their mothering and those who struggle with their mothers. Bless those who choose lives without mothering. May all women be celebrated and supported in the ways they choose to live and love. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.