Theotokos - God bearer
This Advent, I am considering what it means to be "Theotokos", the God bearer.
I love the anticipation that characterizes Advent. However, it seems to me that it is not enough to passively wait for the arrival of hope, peace, joy, and love.
Rather, this waiting is active. I must remember that ultimately the calling is to birth hope, peace, joy, and love into the world. That is a here and now proposition.
And along the way, do I have the courage to join in singing Mary's song, the Magnificat, the Ode of the Theotokos? "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever." Luke 1:46-55
I love the anticipation that characterizes Advent. However, it seems to me that it is not enough to passively wait for the arrival of hope, peace, joy, and love.
Rather, this waiting is active. I must remember that ultimately the calling is to birth hope, peace, joy, and love into the world. That is a here and now proposition.
And along the way, do I have the courage to join in singing Mary's song, the Magnificat, the Ode of the Theotokos? "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever." Luke 1:46-55
May I never forget the radical nature of this song. It changes everything.
Let it be so this Advent.
Let it be with me.
Let it be so this Advent.
Let it be with me.
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