Advent ponderings, week 3: Annunciation!

“In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, ‘Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus’.”  ~Luke: 1: 26-31

Suggested Prayer:  

O Wisdom, O Emmanuel, O Sacred Lord. Come, save us from our sins and lead us to salvation. O Christ, we need you. Help us in our weakness. Support us by your power as we wait in hope for your coming, both this Christmas and at the end of time.

Suggested actions: 

• Beginning on December 17 (through December 24), include as part of your table or bedtime prayers the "O Antiphons," which address Christ by one of His scriptural titles and conclude with a distinct petition to the coming Lord (Read more about the O Antiphons here). 

Don't forget to finish by singing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” which paraphrases the antiphons.

• Why not bake your favorite cookies and deliver a plate to each of your neighbors? Be sure to include a note with a Christmas blessing––and to reach out to neighbors you *don’t* know (or like :-)