Praying with Mary in Advent

 Mothering God

We pause in a season of busyness and noise,

 to notice, to listen.

We pause to hear the story we have read, learned, watched, participated in a 100 times before, 

help us to hear it once more.

That we may feel our hearts quicken as Mary’s at the pulse of another, 

drawing a rhythm of life from deep within. 

That we may see as Mary’s eyes saw tiny fingers wrapped around one of her own

    girding her strength and flooding her hope with resolve.

That we may know as Mary’s gut knew the moments to make wine out of water 

    to push the little bird from the nest and watch him, lean into his gifts and take flight

That we may witness as Mary’s arms held a baby and her brutalized son, 

wrapping him in love and care, 

in risk and dream 

     in hope.

We pause with you to know

    your heart pounding with courage

    moments of quiet contemplation and loving bliss

        moments that stretch on forever, 

            moments of stress and struggle, discipline and disappointment.

We pause with you that we too may be vessels of Divine love, 

birthing new life and delight into the world.  

May it be with us, may we live a whole-hearted YES!

Amen.