Pam's Perambulation

All photos By Ori~ (Own work) [Attribution], via Wikimedia Commons

The Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazarethis a fascinating place. Around the wall are various tableaux of Mary, all from different communities around the world, each depicting Mary and child in their own culture.  Each one is very different, but show how Jesus, born of Mary, fits into their culture.  It’s also a good reminder to us, that Jesus was not a white middle class European, as much as many pictures we are used to seeing might depict him as such.

They speak to me very much of God coming into each time and place – for the whole world, not just me where I am.

Today we are asked to reflect on Mary as our mother, and being born anew in her.  That’s not a concept I find that helpful, but I do get this:

Mary offered an immaculate space for God to take on human flesh

And I can see that in my life, and in the life of every one of us, whoever and wherever we are, that this is a task for us.

So, what am I doing in my life to create or allow an immaculate space for God to take on human flesh?

3 Think how much the Father loves us. He loves us so much that he lets us be called his children, as we truly are. But since the people of this world did not know who Christ is, they don’t know who we are. ² My dear friends, we are already God’s children, though what we will be hasn’t yet been seen. But we do know that when Christ returns, we will be like him, because we will see him as he truly is.

And as I see Mary lovingly holding her child, I try to grasp that I do not need to “wonder anxiously whether I am truly loved”, as I allow myself to be held and loved by God, and by those who seek to love me.

Thank you Lord

for the depth of your love for me,

that I do not have to wonder

anxiously

if I am loved

– but can be wrapped deep in your love

for me.

Lord,

as that sinks in to me…

…may I make a space

where others can discover that truth for themselves

This year for Advent, some friends and I are using Advent and Christmas Wisdom from Henri J. M. Nouwen.   You’re welcome to join us on this journey.  Feel free to comment here, or on Twitter using #adventbookclub

~ by pamjw on December 9, 2012.

Posted in Advent, Advent Book Club, God, Jesus, Religion, theology
Tags: #adventbookclub, Advent, Annunciation, Henri Nouwen, Mary