Fourth Week of Advent
Drawing Near to the Manger
In this final week of Advent, we stand very close to the manger with Mary and Joseph. The readings and prayers of the liturgy turn our attention more directly to Bethlehem, to the mystery of the Incarnation, and to the quiet yes of Mary that made room for the Savior in our world. As you reflect with me during these days, I invite you to consider: Perhaps in a renewed commitment to prayer, an act of forgiveness, or an extra gesture of charity toward someone in need. Let these last Advent reflections help you clear a small, simple place in your heart where Christ can be born anew.
Reflection 1: The New Eve: Choosing God’s Will
Devotional
In the beginning, humanity faced a choice. Eve, our first mother, encountered an angel – but not one from God. When tempted by this fallen messenger, she chose her own will over God’s, bringing sin and death into the world. But God had a plan for redemption that would mirror this first choice. Centuries later, another young woman faced an angel – this time, Gabriel, sent directly from God. Mary received an impossible message: she would conceive and bear the Son of God. Unlike Eve, who was deceived into disobedience, Mary chose perfect obedience. Her simple yet profound response – ‘Let it be done according to your word’ – reversed the curse that began in Eden. This wasn’t just about saying yes to pregnancy; it was about saying yes to God’s entire plan of salvation. Mary didn’t fully understand what lay ahead – the pain, the misunderstanding, the watching her son die on a cross. Yet she trusted completely. Every day, we face our own Eden moments. Will we choose our will or God’s will? Will we trust His plan even when we can’t see the full picture? Mary shows us that true faith isn’t about having all the answers – it’s about trusting the One who does. Her ‘yes’ changed everything, and our ‘yes’ to God can transform our lives and the lives of those around us.
Scripture
‘And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.’ – Luke 1:38
Reflection Question
What is God asking you to say ‘yes’ to today, even if you don’t understand His complete plan?
Quote
Mary receives the word of God from an angel of God and does not her will, but God’s will with her. Fiat.
Prayer
Lord, give me the faith of Mary to trust Your will over my own understanding. Help me to say ‘yes’ to Your plans for my life, even when they seem impossible or unclear. May my obedience bring glory to You and blessing to others. Amen.
Reflection 2: The Living Ark: Carrying God’s Presence
Devotional
The Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred object in ancient Israel. It represented God’s very presence among His people, containing the stone tablets of the Law, Aaron’s rod, and manna from heaven. The Israelites treated it with utmost reverence – they sang around it, danced before it, and carried it into battle as a symbol of God’s power. When we read Luke’s account of Mary visiting Elizabeth, we discover something remarkable. The parallels between Mary and the Ark are unmistakable. Just as the Ark carried the presence of God, Mary carried God Himself in her womb. Just as David leaped for joy before the Ark, John the Baptist leaped in Elizabeth’s womb when Mary arrived. Mary became the new Ark – not made of gold and wood, but of flesh and blood. She carried within her the Word made flesh, the true bread from heaven, the ultimate High Priest. She was the living vessel of God’s presence on earth. But here’s the beautiful truth: through the same Holy Spirit that overshadowed Mary, God’s presence now dwells within every believer. You are a temple of the Holy Spirit. You carry God’s presence wherever you go. Just as the Israelites honored the Ark, we should honor the sacred responsibility of being God’s dwelling place in this world.
Scripture
‘And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”’ -Luke 1:40-46
Reflection Question
How does knowing that you carry God’s presence within you change the way you approach your daily interactions and decisions?
Quote
The Ark of the Covenant was believed to be the very presence of God himself.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, help me to honor the sacred truth that You dwell within me. May I carry Your presence with reverence and joy, bringing Your light to everyone I encounter. Make me a living vessel of Your love and power. Amen.
Reflection 3: The First Disciple – Hearing and Believing
Devotional
What makes someone a true disciple of Jesus? Throughout the Gospels, Jesus gives us the answer: those who hear the word of God and obey it. By this definition, Mary wasn’t just Jesus’ mother – she was His first and greatest disciple. Consider the contrast between Mary and Zechariah. Both received miraculous announcements from angels about impossible births. Zechariah, a priest who served in the temple, doubted and asked for a sign. His unbelief left him unable to speak until his son was born. Mary, a young teenager from a small town, immediately believed and trusted God’s word. Mary’s faith wasn’t passive – it was active and transformative. She didn’t just hear God’s word; she lived it. She didn’t just believe the promise; she staked her entire life on it. Her response of faith set in motion the greatest rescue mission in human history. This same invitation extends to us today. God has given us incredible promises in His word. He promises to never leave us, to work all things for our good, to give us strength for every challenge. The question isn’t whether these promises are true – they are. The question is whether we’ll be like Mary, hearing God’s word and believing it so completely that it transforms how we live. True discipleship begins with the same faith Mary demonstrated – trusting God’s word even when circumstances seem impossible.
Scripture
‘But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”’ – Luke 1
Reflection Question
Which of God’s promises do you struggle to believe, and what would change in your life if you trusted it completely like Mary did?
Quote
And this is why Mary is the penultimate disciple. She heard God’s word and believed it and acted on it.
Prayer
Father, increase my faith to be like Mary’s – quick to believe Your word and eager to obey. Help me to trust Your promises even when they seem impossible, knowing that nothing is too difficult for You. Amen.
Reflection 4: The Power Within: God’s Spirit in You
Devotional
Have you ever felt too weak, too tired, or too inadequate for what God is calling you to do? You’re not alone. Many believers struggle with feelings of insufficiency when faced with God’s plans for their lives. But Mary’s story reveals a powerful truth that can transform how we see ourselves and our capabilities. Mary was just a teenager – probably around fourteen years old – when God chose her for the most important role in human history. She had no special training, no impressive resume, no influential connections. What she had was something far more powerful: the Holy Spirit of God. The same Spirit that overshadowed Mary and made the impossible possible – God becoming man in her womb – is the same Spirit that dwells within every believer today. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. This isn’t just theological truth; it’s practical power for everyday life. Yet too often we live as if we’re powerless. We say we’re too weak, too frail, too tired, or too sad to do what God asks. We forget that we have access to the same divine power that changed the world through a young girl’s ‘yes’ to God. God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called. When He asks something of you, He provides the power to accomplish it. The question isn’t whether you’re capable – it’s whether you’ll trust in His capability working through you.
Scripture
‘And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.”’ -Luke 1
Reflection Question
What has God been calling you to do that you’ve been avoiding because you feel inadequate, and how might trusting in His Spirit’s power change your response?
Quote
Do you believe in that power of God that lives within you? Are you still saying, I’m too weak, I’m too frail, I’m too tired, I’m too sad? Instead of relying on that power of God like a 14 year old girl did, that changed the world.
Prayer
Lord, forgive me for relying on my own strength instead of Yours. Help me to remember that the same Spirit who empowered Mary lives within me. Give me courage to step out in faith, trusting in Your power to accomplish what You’ve called me to do. Amen.
Reflection 5: Living Like Mary: Know, Believe, Live
Devotional
As we conclude our journey with Mary, we’re challenged to examine our own discipleship. Mary’s life can be summarized in three powerful words: she knew God’s promises, she believed God’s promises, and she lived God’s promises. First, Mary knew. She wasn’t ignorant of God’s word or His character. When Gabriel appeared to her, she understood the significance of what was happening. She knew the Scriptures, the prophecies, and God’s faithfulness throughout history. Knowledge of God’s word formed the foundation of her faith. Second, Mary believed. It’s one thing to know God’s promises intellectually; it’s another to believe them personally. Mary didn’t just know that God could do miracles – she believed He would do one through her. Her belief wasn’t wishful thinking; it was confident trust in God’s character and power. Third, Mary lived. Her faith wasn’t just internal; it was expressed through her actions. She lived in complete conformity with God’s will, even when it was costly. Her entire life became a testament to her trust in God. This three-fold pattern – know, believe, live – provides a blueprint for our own spiritual growth. Do you know God’s promises to you? Do you believe them personally and specifically? Are you living as if they’re true? Mary shows us that extraordinary faith isn’t reserved for extraordinary people – it’s available to anyone willing to know God’s word, believe His promises, and live accordingly. Her example calls us to the same radical trust that changes everything.
Scripture
‘And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed.”’ – Luke 1:40-46
Reflection Question
In which area do you need to grow most – knowing God’s promises better, believing them more fully, or living them more consistently?
Quote
Mary knew, Mary believed, Mary lived. Let’s know, live and believe like Mary, the Mother of God, the first disciple of Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to follow Mary’s example of knowing Your word, believing Your promises, and living in obedience to Your will. Transform my heart to trust You completely, just as she did. May my life bring glory to You and point others to Your goodness. Amen.
