Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As we come to the end of what for many of us seems to have been the busiest Advent **EVER**, sit down for just a minute and imagine what must have been going on in Mary’s mind. This newly pregnant young girl leaves home for a visit to her older (maybe elderly?) cousin or aunt Elizabeth. I wonder if she was really anxious to talk with her about the wondrous events that had happened to both of them.
Surely, she must have traveled for days to get there—probably walking the whole way. It’s really intriguing to think about what she must have been “pondering in her heart” (as we’re told that she did several times) during those hours. Luke writes that John the Baptizer in Elizabeth’s womb leapt for joy when he heard Mary’s voice. Elizabeth sang a beautiful song to Mary, which we now call the Ave Maria, or Hail, Mary, full of grace. And Mary responded with another song, acknowledging the honor and affirming the wonderful things that God had done and was still to do.
We have to wonder what Mary and Elizabeth talked about during the three months that followed. We aren’t told anything about that. But these two holy women surely must have found time to pray together, to work together, and to find silent time to contemplate the miracles they were living in the middle of.
In the last few days before we light the candles of Christmas Eve and sing along with the angels’ songs, please, please pause a few times to catch up with yourself and to experience some of the awe and wonder of Advent. So that when Christmas arrives, we’re not rushing through the Twelve Days out of breath, but instead we can see with new eyes the wonder God constantly unfolds around us.
Advent peace,
Mo. Laura
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COMING UP!
- Boscov’s Gift Wrapping Fundraiser. Wrapping schedule: Dec. 6, 12, 20 and 23 all 9-3. Sign up with Janice. Fun and helpful!
- December 22 – 9:00 a.m. Sharing Tree Gifts Due
- December 24 – 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
- December 25 – 10:00 a.m. Christmas Day service
- December 29 – 9:00 Lessons and Carols with Eucharist
- Wednesdays – noonday prayer via zoom at 12:00