Luke 1:46b-55; I Samuel 1:1-18; Hebrews 9:1-14

I will put my laws in their minds,

and write them on their hearts,

and I will be their God,

and they shall be my people.

Hebrews 8:10

What we write on our hearts, we live. When we learn something by heart, it is part of the fabric of who we are as much as it is something we know. Our names, the alphabet, Jesus Loves Me, our eye color, The Lord’s Prayer – all written on our hearts. Our faults, our fears, and our falsehoods are also written there. These, too, form us. We should take care when we write something on our hearts because the words are living in us and we are living the words.

Part of being human is being born incomplete. Who we are comes from our unique souls and bodies, but it also comes from those who love us, raise us, and foster our growth. Our identities are our own, but they are intertwined with the hearts and souls of others. We should take great care when we write something on the hearts of others – the words are living in them and they are living the words. If we write love, love grows; if we write hatred, hate grows. Take up the pen with humility and courage, prayer and faith.

What is the story we write? Do the words lead to the Word of God, the baby born in Bethlehem?

Come, Lord Jesus, Come.