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Fourth Sunday of Advent Luke 1: 26-38 Beth Taneyhill, Oblate at Emmanuel Monastery, Baltimore, Maryland  Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Wayne, NJ We have only a few hours before we celebrate Him in whom all we have longed for is fulfilled. Now is the time to rehearse our own ‘Yes’ to God being born in us; now is the time to say ‘Yes’ to our light-bearer identity. In our last minute Christmas preparations, let us try to live this brief, short day of Advent with Mary, who longed for the Promised One, with love beyond all telling. The Life stirring in her is the Author of Life – announcing that a new in-breaking of God is happening. How do we relate to this marvelous news? For what do we listen and how are we to listen? So many different voices clamor for our attention. Benedict wisely tells us to listen “with the ear of our heart”. Like Mary we can say ‘Yes’ in our lives to our God who chooses to be known by us, who calls us holy, and who passionately longs that we be filled with the Beloved’s Indwelling-Presence. We can “enflesh” our Blessed One’s Light, Life and Love to the broken, dispirited war-torn world through the goodness of our own lives by the “overshadowing” of the radiant One’s Spirit and our ‘Yes’.  Consider this poem by Hafiz: We have not come into this exquisite world to hold ourselves hostage from love, or to confine our wondrous spirits. But to surrender ever more deeply to freedom and joy, To experience ever more deeply, Our divine courage, freedom and Light!  Thoughts to Ponder:
What is it like to know that God is where God chose to be - in you? Gabriel announced divine Presence in Mary. I experience God’s Presence in my life when…… through……. by…….. I announce the Word made flesh within me for others when……
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