The Peace We Long For: Advent in Disorienting Times | Day 23

⁶ Just as Abraham “believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” ⁷ so, you see, those who believe are the descendants of Abraham. ⁸ And the scripture, foreseeing that God would reckon as righteous the gentiles by faith, declared the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the gentiles shall be blessed in you.” ⁹ For this reason, those who believe are blessed with Abraham who believed.

¹⁰ For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the things written in the book of the law.” ¹¹ Now it is evident that no one is reckoned as righteous before God by the law, for “the one who is righteous will live by faith.” ¹² But the law does not rest on faith; on the contrary, “Whoever does the works of the law will live by them.” ¹³ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— ¹⁴ in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Galatians 3:6-14

In Luke 1: 39 - 55 we see this very private and poignant moment between two women, Mary and Elizabeth, destined to carry and birth people who will change the direction of the world. Elizabeth, once barren, and in this story carries the future John the Baptist. As I reread this passage, I envision her as a wise woman, probably in her late 30s or early 40s, more than likely believing that she would never be graced with a baby. Then, by some miracle, she is finally granted this gift of life.

In Luke, it says that she was in seclusion for 5 months. As a once almost middle-aged mother myself, I can only imagine the joy and worry she must have felt at the news that she was finally with child. However, even in ancient times, she would have known the risks, for herself, for the life she carried. Without modern imaging, women relied on outward signs of a baby growing, such as inside her womb. Typically, the first signs of movement happen between 14 and 20 weeks. In this story, Elizabeth is around the 25-week mark. 

Then enters Mary, a young girl, her cousin, facing her own joys and fears and possibly condemnations from her community. As Luke tells it, a virgin, engaged to an older man, now pregnant. Can you imagine the gossip that surrounded her? The worry and guilt that must have surrounded her heart? Even Mary can’t quite believe it as she exclaims to the Angel Gabriel, “How will this be since I am a virgin?” The angel also tells her that her cousin finds herself pregnant in her “old age”. So Mary makes the journey to maybe the one person who can understand her predicament, who can give her wisdom and solace. 

Just as they were seeing each other for the first time, Luke tells us, “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice, she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!’.” And Mary answers with her own blessing known as Mary’s Magnificat, where she glorifies the Lord and stands in wonderment of his blessing on her.

As I write this, I feel the love between these two women and can imagine the ease of tension in their shoulders as their guilt and fear layered over their hearts dissipate. 

During this time of Advent, we are like Elizabeth and Mary. We reflect on what the past year has brought us, and become pregnant with hope and expectations for the future year. We are plagued with our own doubts and fears. Did I do enough? Am I capable of doing better or more, or bringing all my hopes and dreams into the light of reality? We wait in quiet anticipation of what is to come and worry about what might happen.

Like Mary and Elizabeth, we don’t have to do it alone. Though each of us carries different burdens and plans, through love (the same love that John and Jesus preached about), we can help soothe each other's guilt and fears.

Through our smiles and conversations and hugs and words of encouragement, whatever journey we find ourselves on can feel less lonely and isolating.