The Song of Mary
By nature, I am a contemplative and an introvert. I do best when I have time and space to sit in a quiet place alone, preferably outside, and be present to that which is within and around me. I meditate, pray, and let my thoughts wander where they wilI. It’s not too surprising one of my favorite lines of the birth narrative is Luke 2:19, “But Mary treasured all of these words and pondered them in her heart.”
Mary had a lot to ponder, to be sure. Young and engaged to be married, an angel visits her and tells her she’s pregnant with the child of God. That’s a lot for anyone to take in.
There was an innocent wisdom within Mary. She questioned the angel Gabriel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” She listened as the angel explained, “Nothing shall be impossible with God.”
I wonder how long she pondered the angel’s words before responding, “Here I am, the servant of the Lord. Let it be with me according to your word.” How often do you sit and ponder the presence of God? What would it look or feel like to hear, “Nothing shall be impossible with God”? These days, the obstacles we face all seems so overwhelming. What would you do if you knew deep within you that “nothing is impossible with God”?
This week, find a quiet moment and read the first and second chapters of the Gospel of Luke. Try to imagine what it would have been like for Mary. Try to step into that mystery for yourself in this time and place. Look at the world around you.
Where do you see joy? Who provides nurture in your life and shares in your joy—like Elizabeth did for Mary? What broken places do you see God coming to repair and heal? Contemplate carrying the Christ child within your womb. What is gestating within you that the Spirit is calling you to bring to life?
Find a time and space where you can be alone with your thoughts. Ponder the incredible mystery. And rejoice in the unfathomable love of God as an innocent, vulnerable newborn.
Advent blessings of hope, peace, joy, and love,
Donna
Rev. Dr. Donna Patterson serves as Anam Cara Chaplain in Residence for Scarritt Bennett Center and directs the Center’s Soul Work program.