​How does one approach Advent? This is often a busy time of the year and before one knows, Christmas is knocking. Advent is a time of preparation and anticipation. There is great value in using the four weeks to prepare inwardly.

Rev. Bridgette Siepker, in a talk on Sunday, 7 December, suggested that the Canticle of Mary from Luke chapter 1 might be a tool to assist in the journey of inward preparation.

She began by describing what has led up to the meeting between Mary and her older cousin Elizabeth. The annunciation by the Angel Gabriel to Zachariah in the Temple that Elizabeth would bear a child in her old age even though she was considered barren. Zachariah losing his ability to speak and tell Elizabeth what had befallen him in the Temple, leaving her to deal with the unexpected pregnancy without an understanding. Then, the annunciation by the Angel Gabriel to Mary. Mary immediately leaves to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Her unexpected arrival and the reaction of the babe in Elizabeth’s womb elicits a most unexpected greeting from Elizabeth. Then follows the word of praise by Mary.

These words are not new words. Each sentence has its origin in the Old Testament. This indicates how deeply entrenched the scriptures were in the soul of Mary.

We can take these words, sentence by sentence, and meditate on them and ponder their meaning, especially for ourselves in our life-circumstance. This preparation will enable our souls to be receptive to what arrives for us at Christmas and is magnified through the Holy Nights.