Beginning the Advent Journey

Thanksgiving has passed.  The world around us is caught in a frenzy of consumerism.  One sale becomes more tempting than the next, awakening needs for things beyond our imagining and often beyond our grasp, save for that magical plastic card.

In the midst of all of this, Advent quietly enters the scene inviting us into another space, another consciousness.   And at the heart of the Advent journey is Mary, a young woman walking in faith, open to Mystery, attentive to the new life growing within and caught in her own wonderings—How could this be?

Maria,donna dell’attesta di Don Tonio

 I find myself longing to see with Mary’s eyes this Advent, to walk with her to Bethlehem.   Bethlehem—that place with no room for the stranger.  Bethlehem---a time of darkness, uncertainty and fear for a young pregnant woman.    What did it mean for Joseph and Mary to abandon any thought of comfort and settle for a manger, with its smells and mess?   How did such a setting become the birthing place where God chose to break into our world, to make real the Word of Love?  What might Mary and Joseph teach us this Advent?

We all have our frustrated plans, our disappointments and looming fears.  We find ourselves living in a moment filled with so much

darkness and unrest, where violence and ugliness seem to reign.   What is needed? What will it take for us to create a new birthing place, within and without, where Truth and Light and Peace will find a home?  If ever we needed these gifts the moment is now! 

I believe with all I am that this IS God’s deepest desire for us. AND even more I KNOW this Love, this Light, this Truth IS with us, is alive within us and among us—waiting to break into our world anew!   And I know WE are the answer!   Without a doubt we are engaged in a birthing, each moment.  The question is: what are we birthing?  What is the spirit, the life we are bringing into the world?  What is the gift we will give each other, we will give our world this Christmas? 

The answer is born in the simple, everyday experiences, in the chance encounters, in the waitings in line and our navigating the traffic jams.  This is the path to Greater Love.  The answer is here and now, whatever it holds!

I pray for Mary’s eyes and heart and will, that she might teach me how to walk this path to Greater Love these Advent days.  I pray this gift for you as well!  What a Christmas awaits us!