nLuke 1:45 Happy is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill the promises he made to her.
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On this fourth Sunday in Advent, a Sunday which is traditionally known as the “peace” Sunday, the scripture reading, at least at first glance, is hardly “peaceful.” Mary has just been told by an angel that she is going to be pregnant: she is very young; although she is engaged, she is not married; she certainly fears for her very life; her first response is to flee, to run away. Mary leaves her home and travels the seventy or so miles to the “hill country.” It was not really a smart thing to do. In fact, for a man to make a journey like that alone was difficult and dangerous. For a young woman to do that, it was unheard of.
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The inner turmoil that she was experiencing, however, made her do things that were totally out of the ordinary. I can picture the frantic pace of her journey – her actual walk and her emotional pace also. When she came to her cousin Elizabeth’s house she must have been filled with relief. She was physically safe and she must have known that in her cousin’s presence she was emotionally safe.
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nWhat must have surprised Mary was that she was also spiritually safe. Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary was an affirmation to her that all of this was God’s doing; that indeed they were part of God’s plan for the salvation of the world. In the midst of turmoil, Mary found that peace that she so desperately needed. That peace gave rise to words of hope, love and joy.
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nI am reminded that as I journey through life, I may find myself in situations of turmoil and fear like Mary did. If I stop and listen to the voices of faith around me, I will hear the voice of God calling to me as it did to Mary two thousand years ago: “Emmanuel” – God with us – God with me. Those words bring me peace.
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nPrayer: Loving God, in the midst of the turmoil of life, in the frantic pace of my journey, bring me into the presence of faithful friends. Open my ears, God, that I may hear the word that you are with me. Bring me peace. Amen.
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nRev. Marie Williams
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nPrayer: Loving God, in the midst of the turmoil of life, in the frantic pace of my journey, bring me into the presence of faithful friends. Open my ears, God, that I may hear the word that you are with me. Bring me peace. Amen.
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nRev. Marie Williams
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Lighting of the Advent Wreath for the Home – Week 4
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LOVE
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We have come to the last week of the Advent Season. Our spiritual walk to Bethlehem is almost complete. Not far ahead we see the outlines of the town, illuminated by the great star which hangs above it. We want to run now, not walk, to meet the newborn king of kings. Our hearts, filled with love, reach out to him.
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Each Sunday during this season of waiting, we have lighted a new candle in our Advent Wreath. The first was the candle of HOPE. Next we lighted the candle of PREPARATION. Third came the candle of JOY. Today all the candles will be lighted. The fourth candle is the candle of LOVE.
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With hearts filled with love, led by the light of the star, we walk on toward Bethlehem.n
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