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FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT
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As we take part in the first week of Advent, let us take a trip back to the very first Advent season. The first Advent was not four weeks, as it is today. It was nine months long, beginning when the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Blessed Virgin and told her that she would conceive a Son through a virgin birth and become the mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
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Talk about starting Advent off with a bang! Here is young Mary, around fourteen years old, being told by an angel that she will be the Mother of God. Interestingly enough, from what little we know, she went quickly—in haste—to her cousin Elizabeth’s house. She traveled to be with Elizabeth, who was much older than Mary.
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Scripture tells us that Mary went to help Elizabeth since she was older and in her sixth month of pregnancy. But have we ever considered that Mary may also have gone to seek refuge and prepare herself for all that was to come?
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I also think it is poignant that Mary fled to help Elizabeth in what was likely a time of struggle for her. I often imagine that the strong family bond and friendship Elizabeth offered must have made it an even more glorious moment in time. As Elizabeth greeted her, she cried out joyfully in a loud voice:
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“Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
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What peace and comfort these words must have brought Mary—not that she needed affirmation, but being in the presence of someone who truly understood must have been priceless. In a great act of humility, Mary responded to Elizabeth:
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“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
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After her time of service to Elizabeth and Zechariah, Mary returned to Nazareth to be with Joseph and complete the last three months of the first Advent.
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During those final months it was just Mary, Joseph, and Jesus—a simple Advent. For the most part, she had Him all to herself. She was not only preparing her home for her newborn baby; she was also preparing for His death and for the call for her to take on the whole of humanity.
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There was no rush or concern about all she had to “do” to prepare for the first Christmas. The focus was on Whom she was going to receive, and on realizing that with each passing day of that first Advent, pregnant with Jesus, He became less and less hers, and she became more and more His.
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How can we make this Advent more like the first Advent? How can we make our days less about what we need to “do” and more about Who we are receiving?
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Please know of our prayers for you during this Advent and always.
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NEW VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
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Have you been looking for a way to learn more about volunteering at HOMH? We are hosting an open house event for new volunteers. Seasoned volunteers are welcome and encouraged to attend as well.
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Please join us and feel free to ask questions, look around, or lend a hand. We look forward to meeting you and showing you all of the love that pours out of HOMH.
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Email: Meredith@heartofmaryhouse.net for more information
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If you are look for ways to grow closer to the Lord during this time of preparation, please consider volunteering at HOMH.
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Please consider making a monetary donation toward our efforts to share the glory of God as we provide a home and 24/7 loving care to our dying neighbors in need.
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