ADVENT 2: Monday: You're Beautiful with God's Beauty

con source: http://bit.ly/1IoCkeS)

 <Gabriel greeted her: "Good morning! You’re beautiful with God’s beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you." Mary was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, “Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you! / And Mary said, "Yes, I see it all now: I’m God's partner and element, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say.> - The Message Bible translation

We are all pregnant with the Christ. Each morning we make Mary's decision, will I be God's co-creator? Will I l put aside my ego for the sake of peace? Will I lay down my expectations to follow God's path for me? Mary was the first to do so, all for the sake of the Christ.

(p.s.: I KNOW this has nothing to do with the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, i just think it's just a lovely story about Mary.)

ADVENT 1: Thursday: An Advent Examination

<Advent is the perfect time to clear and prepare the Way. Advent is a winter training camp for those who desire peace. By reflection and prayer, by reading and meditation, we can make our hearts a place where a blessing of peace would desire to abide and where the birth of the Prince of Peace might take place. Daily we can make an Advent examination. Are there any feelings of discrimination toward race, sex, or religion? Is there a lingering resentment, an unforgiven injury living in our hearts? Do we look down upon others of lesser social standing or educational achievement? Are we generous with the gifts that have been given to us, seeing ourselves as their stewards and not their owners? Are we reverent of others, their ideas and needs, and of creation? These and other questions become Advent lights by which we may search the deep, dark corners of our hearts.>

-Edward Hays, A Pilgrim’s Almanac, p. 196