The Season of Advent
The liturgical year, with its collection of seasons, provides a rhythm for the Christian life. Advent is one of my favorite seasons because it reminds us to slow down, to be present to the lives we are living as we do something that is taboo in our modern society, wait. We sit in the tension of what has already happened; God breaking through into our world in the humblest of ways, a human baby while we live into the present where we proclaim and trust that God is with us here and now, even as we wait with hopeful anticipation for Jesus to come again.
In this section, you will find writings from Advent 2022 and Advent writings from 2021.
A Mother’s Love
I have wondered time and time again about this bold woman. About the hopes she had for herself and for her son and the many ways they most likely went against her plans. Yet, this woman still said “yes” and she chose to be present there when her son was crucified, and was probably one of the women who went to the tomb that ultimately stood empty.
Texts: Luke 1:46-55 and John 19:25-27
(I highly recommend giving these both a read)
Years ago, I read the wrong text for my devotional. Instead of reading the text that was set earlier in John, I read one of the hardest parts of the story, Jesus on the cross. The Gospel of John names Mary, his mother at the foot of it. This is a hard story to include in an Advent devotion yet it is powerful to read where this incredible story begins and a powerful middle part—for we know Jesus on the cross is not where this story ends.
This accidental read led me to see Mary in a different light. Often times we do not know quite what to do with Mary. She was a fourteen year old girl and these two texts give us a glimpse into what kind of woman of faith she was. You see, Mary was brave. She said a bold “yes” to a Divine plan that was not fully explained and flushed out to her. She said “yes” knowing she would most likely be shamed by her community for being pregnant out of wedlock. She said “yes” not knowing that years later, she would stand at the foot of a cross, seeing her son hanging there.
I have wondered time and time again about this bold woman. About the hopes she had for herself and for her son and the many ways they most likely went against her plans. Yet, this woman still said “yes” and she chose to be present there when her son was crucified, and was probably one of the women who went to the tomb that ultimately stood empty.
Yesterday we lit the Advent candle of love and Mary embodies this love. The love, faith and trust she had in God, God’s divine plan to redeem God’s people is evident in her Magnificat. And the love this woman has for her son is evident throughout her entire story. May we be bold and brave with our yeses and may we open our hearts to love even when it is hard.
Blessings and all my Love,
Margaret