Advent Reflections – A Message for the Wise and the Lowly

Matthew and Luke’s Gospel show a clear differentiation on how the Christ is discovered.  In Matthew, it is the wise, in pursuit of an ancient promise, who seek out the Christ (Mt 2).  In Luke, the promise is not sought out but revealed to Shepherds (Lk 2) – a lowly lot on the societal totem pole.  It is a reminder that the revelation of God is available to all, both to the wise and the lowly.  The truly wise seek God, but the truly lowly have God revealed to them.  For even the Magi, in all their wisdom, find the Christ not in pomp but in vulnerability.  They find not a throne nor a palace, but a manger and a stable.  These Magi kneel before this lowly scene, again, demonstrating that even in all wisdom, the revelation of God in the face of Christ requires that we get off our high horse and posture ourselves before God in vulnerable humility.  I am reminded of what the Apostle Peter would say to a church years after this manger scene, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God so that he may exalt you in due time” (1 Pet 5:6).  This is not to diminish human potential, it is rather to say that human potential is deconstructed and transformed as our hearts discover the posture of God in Christ.  This is not to say that we have to know how pitiful we are before we know how great we are.  It is rather to say that if we are made in the image of God, then to recognize ourselves as image-bearers we must seek the face of God in the image of Christ.   As the Magi discovered, using their wisdom to follow a promise, God reveals himself in humility.  And as the Shepherds discovered, in their lowly occupational estate,  there is no place on earth (or within ourselves) that is too lowly for  the chorus of redemptive celebration not to break out.

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Full of Grace – Advent Reflections

My wife and I have been settling into a rhythm this advent season of practicing some contemplative prayer and devotional readings.  It has been quite refreshing to say the least.  This is unusual for us (unfortunately), as the ghosts of Christmas’ past have been submerged in wish lists, end of the year organization projects, and either work or school.  This year is different, one because we still have yet to find a steady way of living in our current economic crisis, and as neither of us have full time jobs, the one thing we can afford is time.  The other reason is much more meaningful, as it is that there is a certain intentionality this Advent season that has been birthed within us “out of nowhere” (the place where God can sometimes hide).  This has lent itself to some meaningful moments between her and I, as we together set our minds on the Christmas story.

We have been reading from a book named “The Gift” by R. Kent Hughes.  In it, Hughes makes a remarkable statement as he writes on the greeting given to Mary in Luke 1:28 (“Greetings, favored one!  The Lord is with you.” (NRSV)).   Speaking very obviously from a Protestant point of view, Hughes writes, “We must all agree that the Virgin Mary is the most blessed of all women, and that “the Blessed Virgin Mary” is therefore a fitting designation.” And later, “Just because others have through too much of her, we must not imagine that our Lord is pleased when we think too little of her.  We rightly join with all generations to call her “blessed.” (The Gift, 14)

Hughes brings up the fact that in the old Douai Version of the story, Gabriel’s greeting is rendered “Hail Mary, full of grace”.   While most scholars view this rendering as too strong, it is unavoidably a part of our Christian heritage and as Hughes is alluding to, Protestants have their own tradition of downplaying the beautiful faith of the Blessed Virgin.  In the story, it is Mary’s contemplative posture and humble response, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word” that mark her as a person full of grace.

Whether we are in a position in life where we can abundantly give or in a position where we are overwhelmingly dependent on the generosity of others, may we consider Mary, full of grace.  As she did, may we intentionally contemplate the radical nature of the incarnation in ways that go beyond our old familiarity with the Christmas story.  Even more, may we be willing to put aside our agendas, dreams, and projects to say to God, “Here I am, your servant.  May it be done to me according to your word.”  Mary’s statement is, after all, the essence of following Jesus.  So for Luke, she is the very first Christian disciple.

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