As you see, Advent is a season of preparation and waiting for the coming of our Messiah, Jesus Christ. There is no one better in the Kingdom of God to assist us in waiting for Jesus than Mary herself. She waited and carried him in her womb for nine months. As she has done since the Resurrection, through many Marian apparitions across the world, Our Blessed Mother brings us to Jesus each and every time. In a sense, every time she appears we have another ‘petite’ Advent upon us because each time renews our desire for Jesus and His second coming.
As you enter Saint Miriam this weekend, you will be greeted by this beautiful rendition of “Mary in Advent” (used here as my image) with her belly aglow for within her womb is the Child Christ! Too, you will find the Christmas Tree in our Sanctuary is in place. No, as is our longtime custom, there will be no lights or decorations; not quite yet. Instead, we will sit, wait, and anticipate in the darkened tree to one day soon behold the Nativity Light! From Mary’s first fiat, “Thy will be done, Lord.” to our day and longing here now, Mary is an exemplar of faith, devotion, and tireless waiting and anticipation, even amid turmoil.
Think of the miracle…from the moment of the Angel’s glorious announcement, Jesus grew in silence – in secret – within her womb. After all, it was Mary’s grace that has attracted God’s attention. And what is this grace? It is what Luke shows us in her conversation and her actions – courage, boldness, grit, ringing convictions about justice. Not submissive meekness. You see, I have learned that Grace is never submission, and the power of God is never meek.
Advent, then, is the season of such a great secret, the secret of the growth of Christ, of Divine Love growing in silence, beautifully! It is a season of humility, silence, and growth. In a world that seeks more titles, more recognition, more fame, and ever more power, this central attribute is often lost, even among our church leadership. But here it is, deeply engrained and needed: Christ came in humility to save the world, even those who would rather seek lofty titles and positions that are hallow and fleeting, rather than spend their time serving the poor and doing to the true work of the Gospel.
I wonder, as we ponder, reflect, and pray, on the mystery of the Theotokos, if we also recognize that Christ is secretly growing in us and living in us just as beautifully? Do we even perceive that we are Christ-bearers, too? This is a mystery that we need to allow to unfold in us, just as Christ unfolded in Mary. Jesus grows in us now, and that heightens our need and demands us to become better people.
Mary is the prototype, the finished product of what it means to have prepared for God’s coming to us, and so acts as the ideal Advent figure, “the one who waits with, and for, the Lord’s coming”. Jesus gestating within the belly of woman, Christ gestating within the consciousness of all.
What about us? How will we honor the Christ coming in our own expectation, wonder, and waiting even in the midst of a weary world? I wonder if we have it still within – deep within us like Mary – to concentrate on worldly good and toys and outings or can we instead look with wondering eyes and hearts as we anticipate His coming?
See you Sunday as we continue to journey into Advent anew.
Come Christ Child, Come! Blessed Advent!
Monsignor +Jim