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A Blue Advent? |
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12/21/04 |
The beauty of Advent is that it is, at once, a time of great joy and anticipation and a time of personal reflection and penance. Both involve preparation for the birth of Christ, and the latter complements the former. |
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December 22 And Mary said, "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord: my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For He has looked upon His handmaids lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed." (Luke 1:46) Reflection Mary says that she is lowly, and also that all will call her blessed. How can both of these things be true? Marys lowliness was transformed by her faith in Gods promise as given to her by the angel. Through this faith she became the most exalted of Gods servants. Do we let God work with and transform our lives? Or, do we use our own "lowliness" as an excuse for inaction? Christmas is a beautiful time for re-inviting God into our lives and letting His power transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. Advent Action Make a "mini-retreat" to prepare for Christmas. Read the first and second chapters of Lukes Gospel and spend some time reflecting on the story of Jesus birth and early life. Prayer O come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of humankind; O bid our sad divisions cease And be for us our King of Peace. |
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