There is an interesting “back story” to the Beatles’ hit song, “Let it Be.” It was the last song that was released before Paul announced his departure from the band. Many listeners believed that the lyrics were referring to Mary, the mother of Jesus. And today it is often sung in a context where the audience seems to be reaching out to God.

But interestingly enough, Paul was actually referring to his mother, Mary Patricia McCartney who had died of cancer some 14 years before. He had had a dream and “saw” his “mum” come to him and speak words of wisdom.

But this week, as we all prepare to welcome the Bethlehem babe once again into our hearts and homes, we might want to give those three little words another thought or two.

“Let it be.” That is the response that Mary gave to the angel Gabriel when he told her she was going to be the mother of the Christ, the Son of God.  In Luke 1:38, she declares, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” She was saying, “Let it be.”

That same Greek term is used in the Lord’s Prayer in Mathew 6:10. In that passage it is translated, “Thy will be done.” That is just another way to tell the Lord that we invite Him to have His way with us.

I know that it is always a challenge during the Christmas season to let the Lord have His way with us.  As we try to balance our schedules and choices, it is so easy to let Him slide into the background of our lives. But what we need to do, regardless of our circumstances, is place Him front and center in our hearts.

Todd Rickett is the campus Pastor at BIOLA and he recently wrote, we are “not to passively accept the circumstances of life. But to carry within us the desire, the hope that Christ in me (us) can transform us!”

God quite literally transformed Mary. Miraculously, she carried that baby in her womb. She loved Him as a mother and as her Savior. She knew that He could and would transform her and the rest of the world…if we let Him.

So this week let’s all stop several times a day and whisper those powerful three little words.

“Let it be, Lord. Your will be done in my family. Your will be done in our relationships.” “Let it be, Lord. Have your way in our circumstances. In health or suffering, in much or little, in joy or pain, may your will be done.”

Hum along with me: “let it be, let it be. Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.”

There is an interesting “back story” to the Beatles’ hit song, “Let it Be.” It was the last song that was released before Paul announced his departure from the band. Many listeners believed that the lyrics were referring to Mary, the mother of Jesus. And today it is often sung in a context where the audience seems to be reaching out to God.

But interestingly enough, Paul was actually referring to his mother, Mary Patricia McCartney who had died of cancer some 14 years before. He had had a dream and “saw” his “mum” come to him and speak words of wisdom.

But this week, as we all prepare to welcome the Bethlehem babe once again into our hearts and homes, we might want to give those three little words another thought or two.

“Let it be.” That is the response that Mary gave to the angel Gabriel when he told her she was going to be the mother of the Christ, the Son of God.  In Luke 1:38, she declares, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” She was saying, “Let it be.”

That same Greek term is used in the Lord’s Prayer in Mathew 6:10. In that passage it is translated, “Thy will be done.” That is just another way to tell the Lord that we invite Him to have His way with us.

I know that it is always a challenge during the Christmas season to let the Lord have His way with us.  As we try to balance our schedules and choices, it is so easy to let Him slide into the background of our lives. But what we need to do, regardless of our circumstances, is place Him front and center in our hearts.

Todd Rickett is the campus Pastor at BIOLA and he recently wrote, we are “not to passively accept the circumstances of life. But to carry within us the desire, the hope that Christ in me (us) can transform us!”

God quite literally transformed Mary. Miraculously, she carried that baby in her womb. She loved Him as a mother and as her Savior. She knew that He could and would transform her and the rest of the world…if we let Him.

So this week let’s all stop several times a day and whisper those powerful three little words.

“Let it be, Lord. Your will be done in my family. Your will be done in our relationships.” “Let it be, Lord. Have your way in our circumstances. In health or suffering, in much or little, in joy or pain, may your will be done.”

Hum along with me: “let it be, let it be. Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.”