ADVENT: a time of anticipation

Anticipation of What?

Annunciation and Nativity

Christus Petrus

c. 1476

The Annunciation

Raphael

The Annunciation

LeSueur

How did Mary respond?

Ruth CouncellThe Annunciation

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Luke 1:38

Then, Mary went immediately to visit Elizabeth

Visitation

Giotto c 1266

Elizabeth as Prophet:

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s arrival, “she was filled with the Holy Spirit”

41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth

was filled with the Holy Spirit.

The Visitation, Albertinelli 1475

Elizabeth Responds

• 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!

• 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

• 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

• 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

1. Recognized that Mary and the child in her womb were blessed

2. Gave the identity of the child

3. Recognized the movement of John within her as a sign from God

The nativity with the infant St. John by Piere de Cosimo c. 1500

4. Recognized the blessings of Mary’s faith

Would we have the same discernment, if Jesus were in our midst?

Cameron Prayer and Praise, 1865

HOW WILL WE KNOW GOD’S WORK WHEN WE SEE IT?

Our prophetic vision

People, look east. The time is nearOf the crowning of the year. Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table.People, look east and sing today:Love, the Guest is on the way.

Angels announce with shouts of mirth,Him who brings new life to earth.Set every peak and valley hummingWith the word, the Lord is comingPeople, look east and sing today:Love, the Lord, is on the way.

Two verses of a modern carol first published in The Oxford Book of Carols in 1928, by Eleanor Farjeon

Prophecy in Our Lives"And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened." (Mark 7:34) -- interpreted for this painting to mean: be open to the Holy Spirit and Its boundless love, and you will be filled with Grace. Rejoice in it!

Mary and Elizabeth Also

•Saw God at work in the “ordinariness” of their daily lives

•Drew strength from and supported each other

Nativity of St. John, 15th C, Hermitage

How Can We

• Be more aware of the works of God in our daily lives?

• Support each other?

What faith inspired their journey?

Adoration of the Magi, by Tissot