I do have something on my mind. It's been hard for me to put it into words.
This season of Advent, as I see so many sweet mamas and papas trying valiantly to go along patiently with the rhythm of the Church, living the time of waiting and anticipation so simply, despite all the difficulties, I am struck all the more by the great divide that opens up between those who believe in the Incarnation and those who do not.
Or I should say, in a world where the Incarnation is believed in, and one where it is not. Because even those who do not believe reap the benefit of the belief.
What I mean is, that where God became Man, the material world doesn't slowly slip off into darkness.
Since our bodies — the bodies, you know, where so much happens that makes this life what it is — are in fact material — they are made of matter utterly united to soul, but matter still — this belief in God With Us turns out to be important.
We've now spent — we in this world of ours — all the goodness that came from the knowledge that God Himself took flesh. Unbelief is making its own kind of attitude toward goodness.
In the world where God isn't thought to take flesh, flesh begins to stink — to be hated. You can pierce it and maul it and deface it. It becomes quite separate. Even new life can be manipulated in the frozen darkness — and the shock itself wears off. It can be done — God doesn't change the laws He made just because people start to look at them differently.
Even new life can be managed, moved from one place and put in another — taken from its warm sanctuary and thrust into the coldness. Even the embrace of a man and a woman can be made to seem far from a gift and more like a taking or a transaction. Even a mother can become a kind of bought and sold thing. Even a father can be dispensed with.
But you — when you quietly light your candles and prepare room for Him as he makes His descent — you are doing well. You are building treasure up again for this weary planet.
Even if you aren't sure…
When you look at His mother and see her beautiful unity (“Jerusalem with your compact unity!”) — see the heaven she carries within her, and love her — when you look at His good foster father — Joseph the Good — and see his loyalty, and love him, you are doing well.
Keep making a lovely small light in the darkness for the Light Who comes. It's worth it for the whole world.
priestswife says
…quite serious!…and thought-provoking- thank you
Tamara says
“But you — when you quietly light your candles and prepare room for Him as he makes His descent — you are doing well. You are building treasure up again for this weary planet.”
Thank you so much Auntie. You brought my weary heart to tears with this one. Thank you for seeeing, believing, knowing, and encouraging. You're the best.
Kathy@9peas says
I love your serious posts, so truly deep and very thought provoking.
kimberlee says
Lovely, Leila. Thank you. Blessed Advent to you and yours. A.M.D.G.
Suzanne says
I hadn't realized how unsure I was until I read this. At “Even if you aren't sure” I burst into tears. You see, I always feel like being Catholic at Christmas time is a lonely thing, because everyone else is put pinning Elf ideas and partying it up, while I try to teach that we are waiting for Emmanuel. With no family traditions to fall back on, I've been really questioning if I am doing it right. Add to that uncertainty a bout of family wide stomach flu and severe sleep deprivation, and your sweet encouragement has me coming undone. Thank you <3
Sheryl says
“Even if you aren't sure…”
YES! We don't have to be sure. GOD IS SURE! We just need to continue on!
“Keep making a lovely small light in the darkness for the Light Who comes. It's worth it for the whole world.”
YES!! Thank you for this post! Take heart all who read this post!
Blessings, Sheryl
Katie says
Dead on with humanity's capacity to ruin God's good order. Prayers for the pagans around us!
On a lighter note, I am with you slogging through too many projects plus ones that came out badly plus ones that were too ambitious. As for yarn stores, what you need is to make semi-annual pilgrimages to Webs in Northampton. What about a meetup? There is usually a good sale right after Christmas–a very wonderful way to spend the long, relaxed days of that holiday!
Erin says
Thank you for this post. So beautiful and inspiring. All one has to do is slip into the world and see the injustice to thrust us back into the Tabernacle. Oh and Mary, so so so sweet and loving.
Anon7 says
I appreciate your honest evaluation of our world. I am shocked and saddened about how little respect people seem to have for new human life, their bodies and sexual attitudes. But then…I have been struggling in the “gift of self” department toward my husband, and at the tender age of 47, may be expecting a special little someone….I find myself terrified, and exhausted about what may lie ahead. I value life, but am in the process of raising 5 others who have been entrusted to our care…and was carefully {almost scientifically} using NFP to space after last baby…please pray that if I am, baby will be healthy and well…
God's will be done, and blessings to everyone during this Advent.
_Leila says
Dear Friend — Do not be afraid!
You may be surprised to hear this, but I know more than a few women who bore children after the age of 45 — a couple who were 47, one who was 49 — all will be well. If things were different, you'd find you weren't alone. In any case, think of how healing your willingness (even unwilling willingness!!) to a hurt world! God bless!
San says
Big hugs I will keep you in my prayers x
Regina says
I'm 45 and 8 wks along with my 11th pregnancy! (7th living, oh, I hope and pray! Those 4 were lost in a row…secondary infertility is tough, so tough.) squeeee! But could I be so blessed this time? And to hear there are women out there given gifts even older than I???? Oh, lovely hope.
allie says
Hugs and prayers for you and yours…..
akasleen says
Praying for peace of mind and heart in this situation.
Lisa says
This post was just like a reassuring hug. Thank you!
Bernadette says
Beautiful! I am so very grateful I came across your blog some time ago. It's wonderful … as are you and your incredible family! Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom and sound advice with us all. God bless! 🙂
Sue says
Thank You!
Josie says
Tears here too:)…
Christina says
Incredibly beautiful reflection Leila. The somber joy of this quiet waiting is so hard to communicate to others…it is paradoxical in so many ways. You've captured it here though! Lovely words.
San says
Thank you for this post, a sobering analysis of our work but such encouragement for those of us trying to keep the Christ light burning x
Nancy says
Beautiful post!
Allie says
Great post. Thank you for putting into words what I have been feeling.
gwen from pa says
MOTHER CABRINI……ST. FRANCES XAVIER CABRINI…WAS BORN WHEN HER MOM WAS 52!!! THATS SO COOL!
jcDeoGratias says
I've just begun to mine the riches in your blog, but this post spoke deeply to me. You see, I grew up in a non-liturgical church that celebrated nothing. No Easter. No Christmas. Nothing. It took me years of intense reading and prayer to figure out why my soul was starved and to finally find the riches that are in the church. I am so grateful. Thank you for helping me find spiritual-centered ways of celebrating the liturgical year.