Incarnation – Reflections of an Older Mary

A monologue used as part of today's service for the 4th Sunday in Advent in Grosvenor Hall. Not sure whether I have blogged it before, but whether I have or not, here it is...

He who was there when the universe was formed… took form inside my womb… He who is the source of all good gifts suckled at my breast… He who walked in the Garden of Eden… I taught to walk as a toddler… He who carved the commandments on tablets of stone with his finger, learned them from me at the kitchen table… He who inspired the psalmists learned their songs on my knee… It was amazing… I saw the son of God grow into a man… I know every mother thinks that their child is perfect… Particularly their first… But my son was…

Why me? I was little more than a child myself when the angel came to me… Yet he said:

“Mary you have been singled out by God. You are going to have a child!”

“But that's not possible,” I said “I'm a virgin!”

"Nothing is impossible with God!" He said... “Just ask your cousin Elizabeth… she too is to have a child.”

Elizabeth!? I said, but she’s old… at least thirty… And everyone knows she’s barren. It’s impossible…

“Nothing is impossible…” he said.

And so it proved to be…

“All generations will call me blessed,” I sang… but a mixed blessing it would prove to be.

I was to be Mother of the Son of God… Unmarried mother of the son of God…

Selah

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LentArt: Washing the Disciples' Feet

Today's #LentArt post is "The washing of the disciples' feet" by Ghislaine Howard, another piece from the wonderful Methodist Modern Art Collection. It has clearly struck a chord with a number of people, and I am delighted that tonight's guest blog is by my friend and fellow 4 Corners Director, Father Martin Magill, who, he will be embarrassed to have me say, is for me the epitome of a servant leader. Indeed it was interesting to have a friend and artist respond to my earlier post saying that this time last year she remembers having her feet washed by Martin... How much has changed in a year: This painting (completed in 2004) was inspired by these words from the gospel of John in today's lectionary: Jesus knew that the Father had delivered all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was returning to God. So He got up from the supper, laid aside His outer garments, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water ...

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