I’m not actually sure if what I’m seeing in front of me is real life. Does this sign on my desk honestly say… seven days until Christmas? One week?? When did this happen? I had so many plans, so many things I wanted to do to prepare throughout Advent. But then lab tests and doctor appointments (followed by more lab tests because they messed up my first ones) and ultrasounds and my beautiful baby shower happened, and now somehow Christmas is next week and I’ve accomplished… next to nothing? But better late than never, I did finally finish putting together a set of reflections I really wanted to focus on during this time. Though it follows the order of the Rosary, I won't (can't?) call it one because it involves “mysteries” (which I’ve just referred to as reflections in an attempt to not copy the Rosary) that I wrote myself. Instead, I’ve simply called it my Journey Through Advent with Mary. As a woman nearing the end of her pregnancy - just two months to go! - this is how I wanted to spend Advent: journeying through the Nativity story with Mary. You can pray this using Rosary beads. I had originally changed many things, but for the sake of making it easy to use and remember, I did end up keeping the same prayer structure (Apostles’ Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary, etc.) as would typically be prayed during the Rosary, though I do not say the Fatima Prayer or the Hail Holy Queen for this. The only real difference is the reflections I use in place of the traditional mysteries. They are written below, and if you keep scrolling you can download a printable set of them. Note: There is no replacement for the Rosary, I know. This is just something I wanted to try praying now that I am pregnant during Advent. I’m trying to use this time to draw closer to Mary, and this is helping me to do so. If you are also pregnant during this time I hope you’re able to get something out of it as well. FIRST REFLECTIONIn 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. -- Luke 1:26 Though Mary was “greatly troubled” at the greeting from the angel Gabriel, we may feel greatly troubled upon learning of the life growing inside of us. Will we be good parents? Will the baby be healthy? Will I? These are only some of the anxieties that newly pregnant women may face. But in these moments we must keep the angel Gabriel’s words in mind: do not be afraid. God has given us this honor, and He will see us through it. Reflect upon how you first felt when you found out you were pregnant, and how Mary must have felt. SECOND REFLECTIONThe Mighty One has done great things for me, and Holy is His name. -- Luke 1:49 To be the one chosen to bring this specific life into the world, to be responsible for this precious soul, is a great honor bestowed upon us by God. He has truly done great things for us. Reflect upon your gratitude for this gift from the Lord, giving Him thanks. Just as Mary was specifically chosen to be the mother of Jesus, we have been specifically chosen to be the mothers of our children. THIRD REFLECTIONShe wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. -- Luke 2:7 Despite our greatest intentions and despite our well-thought out birth plans; our pregnancies, labors, and deliveries may not always go the way we had hoped. Still, just as God provided a safe space for the Holy Family in the stable when the inn was full, He will provide for us. We are in His care. Reflect upon the security of knowing that God is in control, that nothing happens that has not been seen by Him. FOURTH REFLECTIONAnd you yourself a sword will pierce. -- Luke 2:35 Though motherhood is filled with some of the greatest joys we will ever experience, it is not without its hardships. We cannot always protect our children from this world, and at times may see them suffer and struggle. Even Mary was not spared from this. Let us ask Mary for help in these difficult moments. FIFTH REFLECTIONThe child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. -- Luke 2:40 Lord, we pray for healthy, strong children. Fill them with your love, and let us teach them how to grow in wisdom and love for You. Download printable reflections here:
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AuthorCatholic. Wife. New Mama. Trying to figure all of this out one step at a time. Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.
-Proverbs 127:3-5 Archives
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