In the season of Advent we are paying attention to signs of God coming to us, personally and corporately. This paying attention might seem to place the emphasis on ourselves and perhaps even the quality of our attentiveness. Yet the process is truly a gift of grace. It is something we can surely ask for and we can choose a posture of willingness to receive it. Yet how it actually unfolds is often a mystery. Sometime our eyes are opened to God taking notice of us. The sense of God noticing us can evoke all sorts of feelings – from feeling cherished and known to feeling afraid and ashamed and wanting to hide – and anything in between.
Maybe today you might want to notice how it feels to be noticed by God as you listen and pray with Mary’s canticle of praise. Linger with the feelings that rise up in you about being noticed – often there are feelings about the feelings too. Simply keep company with them and God. Be a compassionate witness towards your sense of being noticed. Notice what feels safe today about being seen.
Savor these moments in the presence of God.
Luke 1:46-55 NLT
Mary responded,
“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.
He shows mercy from generation to generation
to all who fear him.
His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
He has brought down princes from their thrones
and exalted the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with empty hands.
He has helped his servant Israel
and remembered to be merciful.
For he made this promise to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children forever.”
For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, a phrase, image, or feeling that ‘shimmered’ as you listened? Allow it to land in your heart. Stay with it. Savor it.
Reflect on what you heard. What effect does it have on you? What meaning does it hold for you? What does the Holy Spirit seem to be conveying to you? Talk it over in your prayer. Perhaps you want to draw or color your prayer or journal the conversation.
As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some moments of quiet with Jesus, simply resting safely in his presence.
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