Waiting in hope

As we near Christmas, there seems so much to be done - I started looking for gifts early on, yet being particular about giving 'appropriate gifts' I have a couple more to get........but amidst such musings and busyness, I have tried to be intentional about reflecting on the Advent readings. Today I read about Mary and her visit to Elizabeth, sharing the good news of her pregnancy and both women marveling at the work of God in their lives. There is so much to ponder in the well known passage in Luke 1: 39 - 56. So much more to appreciate each year as this reading comes up during late Advent. Today I pondered Mary's waiting upon the mystery of the new life taking form in her womb.....she would have wondered about this child's purpose and future, living with the mystery in the quiet of her heart.....

So it is with many events and experiences of our daily lives....much remains cloaked in mystery, unfinished....as the story unfolds in God's hands, as he continues to form and transform persons and situations. In our 'wombs' (our lives) something new is always taking form......We see only 'darkly' as we wait.....yet we continue to remain hopeful.....

"Lord of mystery, God of those who wait, help us to live in this womb of time free of the need to capture what we do not understand. When darkness envelops our lives, and mystery stills our knowing, help us to make peace with what is yet unnamed. Teach us wisdom of heart, that we might believe without seeing, trust without knowing and live with promise in our hearts. Amen" (Anita Constance SC - Advent Thirst Christmas Hope)