On an Advent wreath the four Sundays of the Season are represented by one pink and three purple candles. There is also a white candle that represents the Christ Child that is lit on Christmas Eve. The pink candle that is lit on the third Sunday of Advent, or Rose Sunday, is the day we honor Jesus’ mother Mary.

For many years we have done “Voices of Mary” on Rose Sunday, and it’s one of my favorite events that we have at Saint Mary Anne’s. I have had the privilege of participating many times and have enjoyed it tremendously. I started out years ago as one of the more youthful versions of Mary but have now progressed to one of the much older versions!

The reflections from Mary’s life start with her as an innocent little girl full of life, love and hope. It continues on with Mary as an adolescent and when she is told by an angel that she has been chosen by God to bear his only begotten son. Next, Mary is portrayed at the time just after the birth of her child, our Savior, and she is filled with love and wonder at the miraculous baby that she has borne. Eventually, Mary is seen as a middle-aged woman who worries about her beloved child and his path in life. She is concerned about the ruthless people who see him as a threat to their power by his teachings and ministries. She worries tremendously for his safety. All the phases of Mary’s life reflections are narrated by an old and wise version of Mary. A mother who has known the greatest joy and the greatest sorrow a woman can experience. It is this Mary that I got to play the last time we did “Voices of Mary” and of all the times I’ve participated this was by far the hardest and most moving. As the narrator you experience all of the highs and lows that Mary experienced in her lifetime. I found my voice breaking and my eyes tearing as I read her thoughts aloud.

A Mother’s love is the greatest of all loves and Mary’s heart was broken when they crucified her son. Mary’s broken heart humanizes her because everyone can relate to losing someone they love, especially those that have lost a child. The Christmas season can be a terribly emotional time for those that are suffering from grief, addiction or depression. This year in particular will be very hard on many people as the world copes with the pandemic, social justice issues and civil unrest.

As we celebrate and make merry this Advent and Christmas season, let us remember and reach out to comfort those that are suffering emotionally during this time.

Nancy Leizear

THIN SPACE

In Celtic Spirituality there is a term used to describe places where the earth and the sky seem to touch each other. Thin Spaces are locales where the distance between heaven and earth collapses and you are able to catch glimpses of the divine or the transcendent or as one theologian has described it, the Infinite Whatever.

When you find a Thin Space, you will know it is unique, it will be special for you and it will be like being on sacred ground. It will bring to a standstill the rush of life. The awareness of the divine will leave a lasting image on your soul, your heart and your mind.

My Thin Space has always been at St. Mary Anne’s on Christmas Eve. From our very first Christmas, 45 years ago, Lynne and I have always been very aware of the beauty and majesty of this Thin Space and presence of the Divine that transcends reality on this holy night.

Walking across the church yard to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus, I have always believed that in those special moments I could embrace the divine nature of God. The singing of carols, the readings of the Holy Scripture, the celebration of the Eucharist and being with believers creates that place of Infinite Whatever.

Thin Space is truly the place where heaven and earth touch, where God connects with family and love becomes more than just a word. It becomes reality.

As we prepare for the coming of Jesus, be alert for the Thin Spaces in your lives and rejoice in the power of Jesus who brings love, peace and joy.

God bless you always,

Bud and Lynne Shand

Grant that the same light enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives. (BCP)

The Christmas season was a busy time in our household. Both Mom and Dad worked long hours in the post office, and Christmas Day was truly a day of rest.

However, we always had a “Parkhill” family Christmas party sometime during the holiday. Roads were often closed with drifted snow, much to our glee, as this meant a sleigh ride into the farmyard. One year – at my young age of 8 or 9, my father suggested we walk thru the woods, rather than trying to struggle thru snow drifts. A big full moon, which seemed to light our path, guided us from tree to tree – and an old owl, watched from a distance, making his presence known.

I often think of the Christmas story and visualize the wise men – seeing a star, in the horizon with the message of His birth.

Mary Holden

Mary currently resides at Calvert Manor. Please remember her in your Advent prayers.

Like so many in the St Mary Anne’s community, this Christmas season will be a little different for our family. In February we lost a pillar of strength in my family, March brought us a global pandemic and unrest in our nation, but in June we welcomed our beautiful baby girl into this world. With all of these strange circumstances and invitations to lose sight of our blessings, we need to take time to focus and reflect on the gifts that God has given us.

This Advent season we will be focusing on our own little miracle and seeing the wonderment of Christmas through the eyes of a child. She has brought so much joy and light to our family and we thank God every day for her. Nearing the end of such a tumultuous year, we should all count our blessings, focus on the gifts God has given us, laugh a little louder, and hug our loved ones a little longer.

Alexis Cannestro Bazzoli

A Christmas tradition that always kicks off the Swoboda Advent season is the transformation of our mantle with our nativity display. Our first Christmas after we were married, I asked for the start of a nativity set that we could add on to in consecutive years. That first year Pat gave me the Crèche and Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. Pat and my parents continued to gift me pieces of the nativity and now that complete scene is set up the weekend after Thanksgiving.  Each piece is carefully unwrapped, its significance named, and placed on the mantel.

As I sit on my couch every evening, it is a constant reminder that this should be our focus and reason for anticipation during the Advent season. It constantly reminds me to slow down and to remember the greatest gift of all.

Jennifer Swoboda