On The/My Womb

Advent by Jessica Powers

I live my Advent in the womb of Mary. And on one night when a great star swings free from its high mooring and walks down the sky to be the dot above the Christus i, I shall be born of her by blessed grace. I wait in Mary-darkness, faith’s walled place, with hope’s expectance of nativity.

I knew for long she carried me and fed me, guarded and loved me, though I could not see. But only now, with inward jubilee, I come upon earth’s most amazing knowledge: someone is hidden in this dark with me.

Thanks to Church Life ND for the poem and inspiration.

With a newborn, the Christmas season always seems more special but as the poem above points out what if we consider the point of view of the child? Of the teen mother?

This Christmas, I think of my own teenaged mother, who I’m guessing had no Joseph, no angel to reassure her. She was probably confronted by the same whispers of neighbors and fears that Mary had.

Where Mary had faith to say yes to Gabriel, my own mother had faith to say to adoption. So tonight’s prayer is for her.

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Of course, then there’s Joseph. Adopted father of a child not his own. Entrusted with the care of a young mother and infant. Subject to whispers about his own guilt, sin, and association.

Much like Ike my own adopted parents. They said yes to that idea - not knowing what sort of child they would get. Did Joseph know his son would be a teacher? A rabble-rouser? A convicted revolutionary and blasphemer? All when he said yes?

I think not. But in saying ”Yes,” like my parents he said yes to the potential of a life - one that could grow into a soul that (in my case hopefully) brings about the Kingdom of God.

This Christmas, my prayers are for my parents.

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Of course, in my own nativity story, there’s a third figure - my birth father. Stretching a bit, but much like God can seem, he is far removed from this tale and life. outside of some basic ethnic data, I know nothing.

Whether the act which conceived was consensual or not, part of a relationship or not, I owe some aspect of my existence to him. So, to my father, I pray for you as well.