Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
Messengers and their messages are not always as straight forward as we would expect. Often the busyness of our day and the clutter of lives can obscure profound messages. This seems more true in this season of Advent. The to-do-list for Christmas often gets higher priority than Advent. The contrast is striking. On one level, we are shopping, decorating, cooking, cleaning and preparing for the important celebration that is Christmas. On another level we are being called to empty ourselves to make room for the Lord in our lives.
Can we truly empty ourselves? It seems almost impossible to me. Making sure I give just enough so that my children all feel that Christmas is special. In following this thought through to its logical conclusion I begin to realize I am making this season about something else. This materialistic pursuits have presents become the sign we are looking for instead of the incarnation. We need to be careful that presents don’t overshadow Christ’s presence.
My worries aside, the meaning of Christ coming into the world must has been confusing then even as it is a mystery still. Mary, was betrothed to a man and pregnant even though she did not “know” man. Her world must have been turned upside down. One wonders how long she must have struggled with the reality that she was bearing God’s son. How long do we dwell on the messages; some of which may lead us away from the Lord? For Mary, an angel appeared and gave her a direct message. For us we must hear the voice of God in more indirect ways and the realities of our lives obscure the messages. Mary model’s for us how to respond to the voice, to the messages of God. She shows us how to accept Christ under our roof. Her example invites us to bear witness to the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus; instead of the one expressed by the Christmas machine that shuts off at December 25, at 11:59.
Lord help us to resist making materialism the way we celebrate Your Incarnation. Help us quiet ourselves and find peace in the midst of the chaos around us so that we invite you fully into our hearts and homes. Amen.
- Deacon Michael Montgomery