“On that Christmas night, the hand of God seemed too small to hold the whole world.
That just goes to show how little we can grasp of the miracle that is Christmas.”
Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed and merry Christmas!
Amy Ekeh
Miriam Capurro, Acrylic on Heavy Paper, Detail. Courtesy Sacred Art Pilgrim.
About a year ago, I came across a wonderful image of Mary and Jesus – a painting of a young Mary holding her baby. Mary is looking straight out of the painting, directly into the eyes of whoever is looking at her.
I looked up the artist to find out more about her and about this piece she had painted. The artist’s name is Stephanie Morris, and she lives in Mobile, Alabama. Stephanie said that after she painted this image of Mary holding Jesus, she meditated with it. She prayed with it the way one might pray with an icon. She took it with her on retreat, and she said that for hours, she stared into Mary’s eyes as Mary stared into hers. After some time, she heard Mary speaking to her, in her heart. Mary asked her a simple question: “Would you like to hold my baby?”
Of course the artist’s response was “Yes!” But then Mary said to her: “If you want to hold my baby, you will have to put down some of those things you are carrying.”
Do you want to hold Mary’s baby? Of course you do. But like the artist, you must first put down the other things you are holding – distractions and burdens and attachments, expectations and resentment and worry. In this last week of Advent, lay down whatever is holding you back from being this close to Jesus, from holding him against your heart as his mother does. When Mary offers him to you, you will be ready. You will hold out your arms in freedom and love.
It isn’t brazen or lacking in humility to be this bold, to take the Christ child in your arms, to hold him close to your heart. It is just what he wants you to do. It is just what Mary asks:
"Do you want to hold my baby?"
"Visitation" by Stephanie Morris. Published here with permission of the artist. © Stephanie Morris 2012. To visit Stephanie's website and view information about purchasing a print (all proceeds benefit Catholic Relief Services), click here.
In this season of shortening days and early darkness, I’d like to share with you an evening prayer from my Episcopal days:
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give thine angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for thy love’s sake. Amen.
—Book of Common Prayer
The Good Samaritan by John Mosiman. Courtesy Sacred Art Pilgrim.
One of my Catholic Biblical School students wrote this on her homework. Brilliant!
“I want to be priest, prophet, and king — not judge, jury, and executioner.”
Christus by Giovanni Meschini, goache-painted pochoir print (Courtesy Sacred Art Pilgrim)
Join me for one or both of the following Advent programs!
Advent Morning of Reflection: "God of Power and Smallness"
Sat., Dec. 2, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
St. Thomas Becket Church, 435 N. Brooksvale Rd., Cheshire, CT
To register, call Sr. Patricia Cigrand at 203-272-3531 x1312.
Join me for a morning of reflection and quiet prayer as we prepare our hearts for God's coming among us. Will we recognize this God of power and smallness? A free will offering will be accepted by the parish.
Evening of Music and Reflection for Advent
Mon., Dec. 18, 7:00 p.m.
St. Ann Church, 501 Naugatuck Ave., Milford, CT
Join me and the talented choir of my home parish for an evening of music and reflection. One week before Christmas, let's settle our hearts and reflect on God's presence among us! Meditations by Amy Ekeh and music by the Saint Ann Choir under the direction of Peter DeMarco. There is no cost for the evening. All are welcome!
Elise Anna Wood, 1935.