Advent One - Waiting - 36 weeks - 4 more to go.

Mother and Child
by Fritz Stuckenberg, 1920
credit: Artprinta.com
Yale University Art Gallery

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour 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 imaginations 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 1:47 to 55

Four more weeks to go.....

The birth of a child is an incredible thing.  The day before (just about), you nip out to the shops, go to the cinema, stay out late.  The next day you are confined to barracks with a helpless individual that you are just getting to know.  You're hardly friends, but your love for them is overwhelming.  What do they do?  Cry, wee and pooh; sleep, and wave their arms around.  Yet we have been waiting so long for this.  We are ready.  We love this 'bud' that is yet to bloom.  We have faith that our relationship will grow and develop. We see the potential.  All this effort is worthwhile, for now, and for the future. 

Mary rejoices, but she is also aware that the potential offered in this small person is extraordinary.  She is aware that the choice of her is not a lottery.  She symbolises the Creator's complete disregard for the pathetic power structures people create between themselves.

Having a baby is a bit like an arranged marriage (or perhaps any marriage).  I choose to love you and I hope that our relationship will grow, just as you grow.

PRAYER: May my relationship with you continue to grow.  I become aware of your presence with me as an ever attentive mother.

PS Referencing the picture, Fritz Stuckenberg was born near Bremen, northern Germany in 1881.  He was part of the European Avant-garde, and involved with Der Sturm, and Bauhaus.  The Nazi government categorised his work as Degenerate.  His work was largely forgotten until 1993.