When I was little, I used to pray that I would be a great saint. When Advent rolled around, I listened intently to this Sunday’s reading about the angel coming to Mary. I asked God to make me a faithful servant, to let me be a highly-favored daughter of God. “Let me be special, too,” I’d plead with God.
I was caught up in the mystique of God choosing someone. I wanted an angel to come down and talk to me. I wanted to know that God included me in the divine plan, that I was special. At the time I was too young to understand that this Sunday’s reading is about bringing God into the world in the way all of us live our lives.
Mary’s story invites us to think about how we embody God in our own lives. Jesus’ work on earth teaches humans all things are holy. Jesus talks to outcasts, heals people on the Sabbath day, tells the poor they have a place in his community, washes the feet of sinners, makes bread and wine a sacred meal.
In science class we learn about DNA, tiny strands of genetic material that are found in each of our cells. DNA gives our cells shape and movement. God is like DNA. Each of our cells contain God who gives shape to our spirit and life to our bodies.
We give God a body, just as a mother gives her child a body. Each of us gives God’s Spirit form in ourselves. God is not some old guy with a huge fuzzy beard sitting on a cloud looking down on the world. God is in each of us.
God cannot put arms around me and tell me that I am loved. However, a friend can hug me and bring God’s love to me. God is love. God is life. When we experience these things, we experience God.
Mary holds a special place in Catholic tradition because she is the mother of Jesus, who is God. Yet, it is important to realize that each of us is also special. Each of us also brings Emmanuel into the world with actions of love, care, and respect toward friends, family, strangers, outcasts, and sinners.
I don’t wait for God to come down from some distant heaven to talk to me any more. I realize I don’t have to be Mary to have a connection to God. I am blessed and full of grace. I share in God’s creation, love, and life — just like you.
Advent Prayer
LEADER: In Mary the Word became flesh and makes a home among us. We gather together to reflect on how we can give you birth in our lives, Jesus, and make a home for you right here in our families, school, neighborhood, and world.
READERS: Three readers proclaim Sunday’s gospel.
LEADER: Mary’s yes gave flesh to God.
ALL: Loving God, come alive in us.
LEADER: Some of us are homeless this Christmas and living in shelters.
ALL: Loving God, come alive in us.
LEADER: Some of us think the Christmas spirit is something we can buy, wrap up, and give.
ALL: Loving God, come alive in us.
LEADER: Some of us are at war. Some of us think other human beings are our enemies.
ALL: Loving God, come alive in us.
LEADER: Some of us can’t read or write. Some of us feel discouraged about school.
ALL: Loving God, come alive in us.
LEADER: Some of us live in families suffering with alcoholism or abuse. Some of us live in families of divorce. Some of us hate Christmas because we are reminded of the pain in our own families and how perfect other families seem.
ALL: Loving God, come alive in us.
LEADER: Let’s add our own prayers for ourselves and our world. (Pause.)
ALL: God, your Word finds a home in our world when a girl named Mary places her life at the service of us all. Help us find our own ways to give life to our world. Amen.
End with a greeting of peace, and a Christmas carol.