Good Shepherd 18/12/2005 (Communion Service)

2 Samuel 7.1-11, 16, Luke 1.26-38



Written with a group of women at Ridley Hall, 2000, for a Cafe Emmaus Service. Used here to provoke discussion about Mary, our 'pregnant' selves and the Marys of today.....

When I heard I was pregnant #1

[A]: When I heard I was pregnant I couldn't believe it at first. It was the best thing that could ever happen to me.

[B]: When I heard I was pregnant I sort of went numb. I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it. It was just a terrible shock.

[C]: When I heard I was pregnant it was like my world lit up. I couldn't believe it. What wonderful news.

[A]: After the shock wore off I was just so happy. I was really excited.

[B]: It took a long, long time for the shock to wear off.

[C]: After the shock wore off I was full of joy. Hard to describe it really, just a real deep-down feeling of satisfaction, contentment.

[A]: And then I got a bit frightened.

[B]: And then I got so terribly frightened.

[C]: And then I felt really scared.

[A]: It was like - what if something goes wrong?

[B]: It was like - they'll kill me when they find out. I'm in deep, deep trouble now.

[C]: It was like - just how much our lives are going to change now the baby's coming.

[A]: I was sure it was real because I had a real strong feeling inside that it was.

[B]: I knew it was true because the tests were positive, and then the doctor confirmed it.

[C]: I knew it was true because - well, the angel, the angel, the angel told me.


When I heard I was pregnant #2

[A]: I had to tell him - I couldn't wait to tell him.

[B]: I couldn't tell him. I was too shocked, too scared to tell him.
[C]: I had to tell him. But would he believe my story?

[A]: I wanted to keep it secret, so I could feel in control of things.

[B]: I wanted to keep it secret. I think I thought that if I kept it secret, it might never happen.

[C]: I couldn't keep it secret. My heart would have burst if I had.

[A]: But when it came to the time to tell the news, I went speechless. I was so full of feelings, words failed me.

[B]: When it came to the time to tell the news, I crumbled.

[C]: When it came to the time to tell the news, the words just spilled out, the spirit just took off from deep inside me.

[A]: I wanted to celebrate.

[B]: I wanted to curl up and die.

[C]: I wanted to sing praises like never before.

[A]: I was full of my hopes.

[B]: I was full of my fears.

[C]: I was full of my God.