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Advent Editorial
Her hair is in general disarray; there is a faint patch of baby sick on her shoulder and her face wears an expression indicating that her brain may have just slipped to her womb! Jesus meanwhile sits bouncing on her knee looking wide eyed and very content thriving from the attention he is receiving and oblivious to the high level of disruption his arrival has caused to the adult’s in his life.
It makes me laugh reminding me of the realities of my early parenting experiences and from the look of some of the new parents at church (Lyndon is currently enjoying a baby boom!) it can be seen to be a universal experience.
Theologically it is also significant as it highlights that Mary was first and foremost an ordinary woman from an ordinary unremarkable village in Palestine but who becomes great through her humanity and her willingness to respond to God in her life.
When given the news by Gabriel that she will conceive a child by the Holy Spirit, she is initially mystified and uncomprehending but she does not protest or attempt to shy away from the experience as others have done. Moses after all said – send anyone but me; Gideon highlights his weakness and asked for a sign; Isaiah feeling inadequate cries woe is me; Jeremiah thought he was too young and Zechariah thought his wife too old. Mary in comparison is practically minded and being intrigued asks the question how? How is this going to be possible? She knows the greatness of God but wants to know how this transformation will take place and once she has heard the message of salvation, she responds in the positive, “…..let it be done unto me, according to your word.”
This positive affirmation then becomes the first step on her road of discipleship. Like the other disciples she needs to learn to follow Jesus, first as he played at her feet and then as she sat at his. From Simeon’s prophecy (“this child will reveal the secret thoughts of men’s hearts……… and a sword will pierce your own heart.”) through to Jesus staying at the Temple at 12yrs old and eventually to the sorrow of the cross and the glory of the resurrection, it was a journey of trust and faith.
Her model of discipleship has much to offer us this Advent and Christmas time. For me it points to a commitment to journeying with God and trusting that God has a plan even when life events would indicate otherwise. And when things seem unclear, uncertain and fragile, to keep faith by “pondering everything in your heart,” – an ongoing conversation with God that he will reveal the life giving potential of a situation in God’s own time.
For all of this the angel Gabriel quite rightly addressed her as “highly favoured,” may we this Christmas rejoice with her and be “highly favoured.”
1. Luke 1: 26-38
2. Antonia Rolls, The 4am Madonna, www.antoniarolls.co.uk/religions