The Twenty-Fifth Day of Advent

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 11:46 pm Post subject: The Twenty-Fifth Day of Advent

â€œHe raises the needy from the dust; from the ash heap he lifts up the poor, to seat them with nobles and make a glorious throne their heritage. He gives to the vower his vow, and blesses the sleep of the just.â€ ( 1 Samuel 2:8 )

We may wonder why our path is as it is while others walk easily to positions of power and luxury. Whatever is of this world is temporary. No matter to what position of power or what amounts of wealth is obtained, it will be gone in a moment at a time we will not know and perhaps when we least expect. What endures is that which we do according to His Word, that which we do in fulfillment of His commandments, that which we do for the soul.

Whatever our burden, whatever our infirmity, whatever our affliction; it is all temporary for our time on this earth is a minuscule moment compared to what awaits us for eternity. Though we must be concerned with what we must do for our daily survival, should we not be more concerned with what we should do for the survival of our soul?

And Mary said: â€œMy soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon the lowliness of his handmaid, behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.â€ (Luke 1:46-55)

Some may ask, who was Mary? Was she a woman of any consequence? Some may dismiss her, not understanding the favor and blessings bestowed upon her. Through the holy Spirit, she became the mother of her Lord and Savior. It was not her nobleness, her position of power, or her wealth which incurred the favor of the Lord, it was her faith, spirit and purity.

Mary expresses from her soul her thanks and praise for the blessings of what God did for her. What He gave her in this world, though, was not great riches or social position, in fact to care for her Son, her husband would take her and child to Egypt. Why then would she lift in prayer rejoicing for the great things the Mighty One had done for her? He gave her no material wealth, He gave her no luxury; what He gave her was the blessing of the holy Spirit and the truest wealth of the soul.

Whatever the gifts we have received from God to lead our journey in this world, we should remember that it is not how we use them for ourselves which matter, but how we use them for others and the will of God. The gifts we give to others in celebration of the birth of our Lord are but symbols of the truest gifts we can give if we choose to give daily from our heart and from the depths of our soul.

May the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier