This coming Sunday belongs to Mary, the mother of Jesus, the peasant girl, the God-bearer. Mary’s partnership with God is what makes Advent possible. In this, she is a model for all of us. The angel comes, at some unexpected time, and gives an invitation into risk, the unknown, sacrifice, the holy burden of bringing forth life.
I have a friend, an American I met in Egypt, who has traveled all over the world. He takes pictures and writes stories, and he’s good enough to make a living at it. I remember him saying at some point: Whenever I feel despair I remember that I am...