Advent Meditations: Saturday 8 December

Dec 8, 2018 by

Sat
Dec 8		 Ps. 98 Gen. 3:9-15, 20 Eph. 1:3-6, 11-12 Lk. 1:26-38 

 

ON THE CHURCH CALENDAR: 

  1. Feast of the Conception by Blessed Anna of the Most-holy Theotokos (East)
  2. The  Commemoration of the Conception of Mary, the Mother of Our Lord(West)

MEDITATION – The lessons today are taken from liturgical lectionaries, East and West, and call to mind that this celebration is especially appropriate at the beginning of Advent, when we recall the two great figures of expectation who prepared for the coming of Christ: John the Baptist and Mary. The readings resound with affirmations of the gracious love of God showered on Mary and on all who believe in her son. On this day, many catholic Christians in the East and the West rejoice at the conception of Mary by her mother Anna and father Joachim. St. Anne through the grace of God bore the one blessed amongst all women who beyond all comprehension conceived the Logos, the one whom we await this Advent season.

PRAYER: Father, all-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to heart the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

SPIRITUAL Activity/DISCIPLINE – The special treat on this day comes from the Moravians and it is called Spritz (gingerbread cookies, loaded with fine, aromatic spices). These are mixed on the vigil, December 7 and shared with friends and family on the 8th (especially with those who are expecting a new family member this season). Or make your favorite gingerbread cookie. Perhaps for this solemnity the family could make a gingerbread house.

 

Consider meditating on the mystery of this gift from God by praying the Angelus http://www.preces-latinae.org/thesaurus/Cotidiana/Angelus.html if that is not practical or in line with your spirituality; listen to the wonderful music of Schubert at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bosouX_d8Y (Latin)    or in a contemporary English http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt7c6zl6-dQ

 

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE:  “By obeying, she became a cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race.” – St. Irenaeus (From his treatise on Against Heresies III)

 

 

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