s we continue our Advent journey, please seek a quiet, interruption-free time and place where you can spend time in reflection and prayer. Begin by lighting your candle and spending a few minutes to separate yourself from the rush of this season in life. Close your eyes and empty your mind and heart before God. You can clear your mind and heart by simply noticing your breath as you sit quietly. When you are ready, you may continue.

Reading

We continue our Advent journey with a reading from the gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verses 1 through 5:

In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists. This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria. Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled. Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant. (Common English Bible)

Read the scripture again. This time, notice the words or thoughts that draw your attention. Pause and savor these words, thoughts, or images.

Read the scripture once more. This time, imagine yourself in the scene or the circumstances that are described in the text. What do the eyes of your mind see? What do you hear in this scene? What emotions or feelings do you experience in the events that are described here?

Reflection

Next, we reflect on what we have read and experienced. Take yourself back to the scene and circumstances described in the scripture. Spend some time reflecting on these questions.

Imagine this situation. Here is Mary, pregnant with the very son of God!  Instead of being safe at home to deliver her baby, she is traveling to complete the census. She and Joseph are on the road and, according to an upcoming verse in the scripture, there is no place for them to stay. What do you see in Mary’s expression? Is she tired of the travels? Is she upset because there is no decent place to stay? Is she feeling let down by God? Is she questioning the veracity of God’s earlier message to her? As you imagine the scene, what do you notice about Mary’s response?  What might you have felt in her place?

Bring back to mind what you are waiting for in this season of your life. What obstacles have arisen that stand between you and what you are waiting and hoping for? What is your response to these obstacles? How are you feeling as you wait? Imagine God still waiting with you. What do you want to ask God at this moment?

Prayer

We close our experience in prayer:

“God, you know my needs and the desires of my heart. You see the obstacles in my life. Please nurture within me the awareness that you are with me and can see the outcome you have planned for me. Let me rest in that awareness this day. Thank you for waiting with me.”

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

As it was in the beginning, and now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.