Advent has been filled with many levels of preparation: for Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, for example, and for His glorious return at the end of time, for another example.
The Incarnation, God being born among us in the flesh, marked the beginning of a dramatic change in values: in a sense, His birth marks the beginning of everything being turned upside down! Salvation was offered to the poor and humble, not only the “high and mighty.” A call went out to all of the human family to live in obedience and to exercise humble service. The power and might of God were shown in God drawing intimately near to His people. And the sad reality of inevitable death was replaced by the bright hope of a path to new life.
For reflection: The Virgin Mary’s response to God and His plan to come among us (her “Let it be done to me as you say”) is an important model for us as we continue our Advent journey this week. She didn’t understand completely what the Lord had in mind, she didn’t know exactly how everything would work out, yet she trusted that God was, indeed, at work and He was always true to His promises. When she emptied herself so that His will could be accomplished, the door was opened to all of the change described above. May she continue to intercede for us so that we might imitate, in some fashion, her faithful obedience and her deep trust.
Let us pray. “Father, we thank you for searching for the Virgin Mary to be the Mother of your Son. Her faith and her enthusiastic service opened the way for a new world to arrive, with entirely new values and priorities. Help us, through her intercession, to seek your will and cooperate with your plans so that we, too, might show to the world its Savior and Lord. Who lives and reigns with you forever and ever. Amen.”
