So, how can we live the light of these readings this Christmas?

How can we, like Mary and Elizabeth be receptive to God’s call to faithfulness? I believe that it combines humility with not thinking so little of ourselves that we are not available to God.

Just as in our childhood, we may have been told the lie that we’re not big enough to make a difference. Yet, we can make a difference within God’s kingdom if we allow God to act through us.

I want to leave you with three things that none of us are too little to engage in:

God can use us as we pray.

Prayer changes things. It changes us, The Bible encourages us to pray for our cities, our rulers, governments and those in authority. None of us is to little to pray with passion this Christmas for those, and other needs.

God can use us as we serve

Brother Lawrence, a monk who lived more than 300 years ago learned that in simple service, God could be encountered: He sad:  We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.

What loving service can you offer to others?

God can use us as we speak.

Each one of us has the opportunity to encounter God, and then share that encounter with others. We came to know of God’s love in Christ, because someone spoke of Him to us. What word of encouragement and comfort can you offer to someone this Christmas? It may begin with the words, “I have found … that God met me or helped me. Or led me.” Tell your story. Your will be surprised how God uses those words that you speak.

God can use us as we pray, use us as we serve, use us as we speak.

The Lord says, “Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are one of the smallest….

Southwark Cathedral: God does great things through small beginnings. The birth and birthplace of Christ is evidence of that. You are not too little. In Christ, and through Christ, He calls us to do little things with great love. As we do, I believe we will be surprised by what God will achieve.