Advent Sunday - 2nd December 2007
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But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"
Galations 4:4-6
I thank you, Father,
that in your great love
you have given your Son for my redemption and freedom,
that through him,
I can be part of you and know that I am your child
and have within me your divine nature and love,
and may I be able to express the Christ through my being.
Through his name and power I pray,
So shall it be. * |
The Annunciation
Mary listened in fear and trembling to what the angel had to communicate and, after her questioning, she surrendered - not as a slave without will or mind, but as a full human being who could now assist in the creation of something great and beautiful: "Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word..."
To be available, as Mary was, is to co-operate in a miracle and to let the impossibilities of God work through you.
...the real purpose of our existence as Christ-conscious people is to become co-creators with God and his holy ones and let the impossibilities of the Lord work through us, not without questioning the techniques but in surrendering ourselves.
- Rev Mario Schoenmaker in Choosing Transformation * |
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Hail, O favoured one, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
Luke 1:26-31 |
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The first candle is added for Advent Sunday.
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The first of 4 panels - this for Advent Sunday and on the theme "The Annunciation" |
Copy of the painting Annunciation. by Fra Angelico c. 1441. Fresco, 176 x 148. Museo di San Marco, Cell 3, Florence, Italy.
Present is the angel Gabriel and Mary. Notice the monk on the left side - a meditative 'loving look' at the scene. Something for us to emulate.
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The first panel - The Annunciation - is added to the altar space. |
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- Worship and Christmas - Advent Sunday
At the beginning of Advent, we look forward with longing and anticipation to the fresh inflow of the light of Christ that Christmas brings to us and to our world.
An address for the Cosmic Mass  2nd December 2007 Rev Heather
Luke 1:26-56
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*Works from Rev Mario Schoenmaker
Used with permission
Antoinette Schoenmaker ©
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