Advent: Week 2 | Day 5

December 10 | Luke 1:39-45

Jubilant Anticipation by Sammi Shivener

Fresh spring air filled my lungs,

Newly set grief filled my spirit,

Generations pass on leaving

Waking hearts weeping

Filled with love

And cherished memories.

But in earnest emotion,

My heart leaps at new life

Forming slowly and tenderly.

In the midst of saying goodbye,

I’m greeted with anticipation,

The sweet smell of budding flowers

Just beginning to show.

As months pass,

Life bursting forth 

Swiftly swirling around us

Every form of life buzzing with energy

Taking in each moment with 

Vigour only found in 

The lush fertility of 

The growing season.

We wait in silent anticipation for your arrival.

The energy slows,

The plush atmosphere fills

With a brisk calm, whispering 

Sweet blessings in your ear.

It’s time to travel to you,

Six months later,

Knowing that you have quickened

Both in body and spirit

We wish to meet you.

We celebrate your arrival,

the trees shift into bright colors

To honor the cycles of living,

We joyously gather,

Draping love around your mother

Saying, “Blessed are you among women, 

and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”

Moments of rest are upon us,

Birds quietly begin their journeys away,

Knowing their return is on the horizon;

Their next adventure awaits.

My hand rests softly,

Feeling you leap within 

your mother’s womb.

Feeling love hover around you.

We wait in jubilant anticipation of your arrival.

_______________

Reflection

Just like Mary and Elizabeth wait in wonder and joy over the birth of John and Jesus. I have been waiting in great anticipation of the birth of my nephew. When my brother & sister in law announced they were having a baby, in the spring, it was in the same time my grandmother passed. In the midst of grieving, I was also experiencing joy over new life. My nephew is due in December, a time when everything moves into silent hibernation, and my family will be awaiting this new life that has been forming all year long. My heart has been so full thinking about the deep love for this child just like Mary and Elizabeth share in this scripture and just like God shares in each of us. To deeply love is an act of our divine spirit granted to us by a deeply loving God. 

Prayer

May you bask in God’s love that was breathed into all life, embodied in Christ, and flows through the Spirit that divinely moves through you. Amen.