Advent from the Monastery
This
last week we were able to spend three days at Christ in the Desert Monastery,
which is north of Santa Fe, NM. The experience was incredible and getting to
explore the lives and rhythms of the Benedictine brothers was transformative as
well as life bringing. We were a part of a retreat group focused on Advent and
so I’ll offer a few reflections:
Christ
of the Night- Advent is intentionally celebrated
around the winter solstice for those in the northern hemisphere. The solstice
symbolizes a time of the year when all is barren and night is at its longest.
In the time of darkness comes the salvation of the world. Light is breaking
through the darkness in the form of a new born king.
The
Wilderness Awaits-
The
liturgical tradition devotes two of the four weeks of advent to John the
Baptist. He is our guide. Most would like to put him at the distance of a crazy
wild eyed uncle, but he is at the forefront preparing the way and calling us
deeper. The early mystics of the church knew John well, and they went head
first into the desert being naked and hungry. In this they reflect the new born
in their desire to be renewed and pure feeding on nothing but God.
A
Mother for the Ages- The Abbot at the monastery said it well
when he told us that Mary is not removed from creation but through her
createdness brings all of us to God as servants willing. Probably none of us
will be asked to carry God’s child, but one woman did. She did so with the same
fears and worries that all of us carry around. She also did so with the same
ability to say “Yes”, to be humble, and to love as we are granted. With Mary as
a semblance of our faith we are continually led to be a servant of God and
respond with a humble and loving “let it be with me.”
We hope that advent finds you longing for God,
seeking renewal , and responding with a dedicated “Yes” to the king who has
come!
O come, O come Emmanuel…
