The Holy Mother as a Guide
“My soul magnifies the Lord.” Luke 1:46
As we move through this season of Advent, moving closer and closer to the celebration of the birth of Christ, we find no better companion on this journey than Mary, the mother of God. She who bore the Word Incarnate in her womb understands better than anyone the importance of Advent. Mary’s experience serves as an invaluable lesson to us in our longing during Advent, and her story exemplifies the true meaning of holy patience.
Many important theologians throughout the history of Christianity have discussed Mary’s role in Advent. Pope Benedict XVI, a highly regarded theologian who taught at several German Universities before his ascension to Cardinalship, would assert that, “To celebrate Advent means: to become Marian, to enter into that communion with Mary’s ‘Yes,’ which, ever anew, is room for God’s birth, for the ‘fullness of time.’” Our patience during the season of Advent is in many ways an imitation of the Holy Mother. It is, therefore, vital for us to reflect seriously upon Mary's story, using it to make us more patient and holy waiters, just as she was.
Mary’s long period of waiting in preparation for Christ was not a time of rest; rather, it was a time of “active waiting.” There was little time during her preparation when she would sit idly, demonstrating to us how actively engaged Mary was in God’s plan. Her works, described by the Holy Scriptures, give us insight into what we should be doing during our longing for Christ, as Advent should not be a time of inactivity but a time of preparation.
When Mary first received the Annunciation, she “set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth” (Luke 1:39). This haste of hers is an excellent example to us of serving others with joy, bringing the good news of Christ to those around us who need it most. Her navigation of this sudden, impractical pregnancy demonstrates her deep trust in God’s plan and shows us that we should trust God when our plans are disrupted.
As you read the Holy Scriptures, you witness the Holy Mother actively living out what Advent truly is all about. “Our Lady in Advent goes to the whole root of what Advent is celebrating — the coming of Jesus,” quotes Mark Miravalle, the theology and Mariology professor at Franciscan University. Whether it be her visit to Elizabeth, her navigation of the sudden pregnancy, her journey to Bethlehem, or her constant ponderance of God’s word, Mary gives us all an excellent example of how we should “wait” during the Advent season.
Upon Mary’s arrival to aid her cousin Elizabeth, she proclaims the Magnificat. The Magnificat outlines how God will transform the world when he enters it, and perfectly captures the spirit of Advent. The Book of Luke 1:46-55 states:
“...he has scattered the proud in their conceit.”
“He has cast down the mighty from their thrones…”
“He has filled the hungry with good things…”
“…and the rich he has sent away empty.”
The song of Mary recognizes what changes Christ will bring to the world. It is exactly what Advent prepares us for: the coming of Christ into the world and the salvation that will follow thereafter.
The Holy Mother of God is a testament to what Advent should look like for the layman. She demonstrates to us, through her many virtues and actions, how we should be “waiting” for the coming of Christ’s birth. Therefore, Advent should not be a slothful period of time in anticipation for Christmas, but a time of active reverence and living out of the faith.