©The Estate of Caroline Hamilton/Oblate SSJD
Foreword
“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom…” Isaiah 35:1
The lectionary readings for Advent alert us to anticipate a time of transformation and of knowing the salvation of God. We might feel inadequate to the task of unfolding that thought but God blesses us and comes to share life with us. A sharing of magnificent loving generosity in Jesus. This is the centre of the Advent story. One that points us towards home in heaven on earth through the anticipation of something we can imagine, the birth of a baby. There are concerns, but the time is always lit with the anticipation of forever love, newness of life and new possibilities.
Our liturgical year spiritually nudges us forward to turn, and return, to the discovery of our saving loving rootedness with God. Advent is our beginning and draws us into anticipation anew every year. We become part of Mary and Joseph’s days. We learn their history and the difficult world around them. We also learn of prophets and visions and of Mary and Joseph’s own faith that sustains and informs them. We can easily join them in their excitement and joy as well as anticipating their anxiety and worry. In our own time in a world that is hurting and often cruel, strength, and even healing, may be found through prayer and contemplation with the days of Advent.
These days of Advent dare to anticipate the living revealed reality of the realm of God. God’s faithfulness in our everyday lives is illuminated through Mary and Joseph. The readings anticipate a life where we are filled with all that is good and share all that is good. Wondrous expectation is placed in the unborn baby. A deep yearning for everything to be all right, reflects our own lives reaching for God. Our journey to Jesus’ birth does have questioning and doubts but it is one upheld with peace, love, joy and hope: God is coming to dwell with us.
It is our prayer that these little embers, the lectio of our lives, will provide food for the journey. We welcome your company on the Way.
Joanne Davies