This morning I have been reading through some Advent meditations sent to me by our good friend Mark Pierson in New Zealand Unfortunately they arrived too late to use for Advent but Mark’s reflections are always refreshing and provocative. I have adapted one here that really impacted me this morning:
God moved into the neighbouhood, as a baby. Powerless. Vulnerable. Approximately 500,000 mothers die in childbirth each year most of them in the poorest countries of our world. When a mother dies like this it is almost certain that her child will die too God takes a risk. Where in the world today will women be giving birth in similar circumstances to Mary?
Take a flower and place beside your Advent wreath. As you watch it this week let it remind you of women living in poverty and crisis who are carry and bearing children in situations even more dire than Mary’s. Pray for them
Here is another Christmas prayer that this reflection inspired
Jesus you come
In the voice of the poor
In the hurting of the sick
In the anguish of the oppressed
Jesus you come
In the weakness of the vulnerable
In the questions of the doubting
In the fears of the dying
Jesus come
Transform our indifference into caring
Transform our acquisition into sharing
Transform our hearts of stone to compassion
Jesus come