Advent has always been one of my favorite liturgical seasons because there is usually a sense of hopefulness about it. Lately, however, I've been feeling that the state of our world doesn't leave much room for hope. I've been telling God that--and God has been telling me in numerous ways that there is always hope because God is in charge! Then this morning I was looking for a music video to use here and I found this one. I've always loved this movie about the Nativity because Mary looks so real--not like a glamorized statue dressed in pretty blue and white.

 

The words of the song really touched both my heart and my mind. Mary's future was an unknown yet she trusted God's word. This was her Advent--her period of Waiting for a future she couldn't predict. I've often wondered if she really grasped the full reality of that to which she was saying "Yes."  I would imagine she did not. And yet she trusted God to take care of it. I think all of us have gone through personal Advent seasons in our lives--seasons of waiting that can come at any time of the year. I imagine that many of us--our younger selves--didn't grasp the full reality of the future to which we were saying "Yes"!

 

But Mary waited--"in Silent Prayer." Do I always do that when I face any kind of decision? Do I--as Mary did--wait in silent prayer? Or do I worry and fret and allow myself to miss all the good that really does exist around me? Can we--as individuals and as members of our human society--spend more time waiting in silent prayer and see where God is leading us?

 

In the hymn, Mary asked, "Should a wiser one be doing this?" I sometimes ask that same question and God just smiles at my foolish ways!

 

May the "Breath of Heaven" be your gift during these last holy days of Advent--and during the coming Christmas season!