More Light Presbyterians - A Reflection for the Fourth Week of Advent

As the journey of Advent continues, we these words inspire and awaken you to the hope, peace, joy, and love of this season. Today's reflection on love is provided by Adrian White (they/them), a member of the MLP National Board of Directors: The Christmas story is full of encounters that lead unexpected, even impossible to happen. Angels encounter people, shepherds encounter a baby, and most of all, God encounters creation in a new way through Jesus. One of the encounters in our cherished narrative is deceptively ordinary. Mary visits Elizabeth, one relative visiting another, looking for care and company during her pregnancy. Quickly, though the encounter transforms into a moment of absolute recognition, a kind of sacred witnessing that is so clearly blessed it sends sparks dancing between the two women’s pregnant bellies. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth recognizes who Mary is and who her child will be, proclaiming, “blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her in the Lord.” Because Elizabeth recognizes Mary in the totality of who she is as parent, prophet, and person, Mary is able to take the next leap of faith in proclaiming the Magnificat. She radically reimagines the world, casting down the rich and mighty and bringing justice, mercy, and righteousness to life. In the Magnificat, she confirms her belief in the fulfillment of what God has promised, even if she cannot yet see it, even as she experiences the cruelties and devastations of empire. From Mary and Elizabeth, we learn what is possible when we love each other enough to truly see one another. Those of us who are queer and trans know the impact of being known in this way, of the language we discover in community, of the truths we learn about ourselves when someone makes even just a little bit of room. On this fourth Sunday of Advent, when we light the candle of love, may that light guide us to witness each other in our fulness and possibility.   CLICK HERE TO VIEW ADRIAN'S VIDEO RECORDING OF TODAY'S REFLECTION   Make a gift to MLP!

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