"This is the word of the prophet: "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given" (Isa. 9:6). This is the hardest point, not so much to believe that he is the son of the virgin and God himself, as to believe that this Son of God is ours. This is where we wilt, but he who does feel it has become another man. Truly it is marvelous in our eyes that God should place a little child in the lap of a virgin and that all our blessedness should lie in him. And this Child belongs to all mankind. God feeds the whole world through a Babe nursing at Mary's breast. This must be our daily exercise: to be transformed into Christ, being nourished by this food. Then will the heart be suffused with all joy and will be strong and confident against every assault."
This is a great mystery of Advent: the child Mary carries in her womb simultaneously holds the whole world in his hands.
And he came for us. The Son of God is ours.
Tomorrow begins week two of Advent, with an emphasis on Peace, Preparation, and John the Baptist.
You know the part in Ocean's 12 where the hotel man says, "Julia Roberts is coming" and it's like... how do you prepare for that?
ReplyDeleteI want my preparation to be a mix between turning around in circles trying to decide what to do next and sitting on the couch reading because I know a good, good friend is coming whom I don't have to try and impress.