I’m bursting with God-news; I’m dancing the song of my Savior God. God took one good look at me, and look what happened—
I’m the most fortunate woman on earth!
The Magnificat of Mary According to the Message (Luke 1:47)
Friends,
It's almost here. Christmas is almost here. Maybe that's something which brings you great joy, and maybe it's something that fills you with great dread too. Dread, given how much there is to do, plan and participate in. Yet, despite our best efforts otherwise, Christmas comes whether we are ready or not. Something Mary reflects for us this week.
Mary’s Magnificat, ie: her response of faith to the realization of God's plan for her life via the recognition of Elizabeth, is a hymn of Joy and also lament. I say lament because like most parents, we are never really ready for kids. We plan, we strategize, and then they arrive and all our plans go out the window. They go out the window because our lives are transformed by love for this new life. A life which changes us forever.
A change which Mary, despite all the odds embraced with everything she was. She didn't let the worry and panic over run her life when she realized what was going to happen, she let herself be immersed in the moment. To revel in God's presence in her everyday. An invitation these last few days of Advent offer us too.
As the world takes its last breaths on the sprint towards Christmas, when our lives feel overloaded and there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done, our invitation is to follow Mary’s example. To slow down, let go, and rejoice at the growing awareness of how God is continuing to come into our lives.
A coming which I believe changes us forever because once we see and taste what life with God in our everyday can look like, it's impossible to unsee it. Which is what the promise of Christmas yet to come is all about- the promises of God are forever permanent. Permanent like the breath in our lungs.
Join me Sunday as we celebrate this mystery together. A mystery which invites us into life one breath, one thought, one question at a time.
All are welcome. Yes, even you!
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