Thank you for reminding us that "Bethlehem is wherever your are." Earlier today I read a post online exhorting women to avoid being held back by saying, "I can't." Twenty or 30 years ago I would have been right there, discovering all the astonishing things I hadn't realized I could do, but at this stage in my life I have begun to feel guilty about needing--and often *wanting*--to say, "I can't." I'm reading your book now, and its message (so far) is very clearly that *being* is more important than *doing*, which is very reassuring. I never was, really, the sort of Mary who could or would walk 20 miles a day, never mind at eight months pregnant, and it is so good to know that when I get to be absolutely too old and weary to go to Bethlehem, Bethlehem and the birth of the Holy will continue to come to me.
I spent way too much of my life striving to reach Bethlehem. I'm a late bloomer, Mary. It took me an awfully long time to see that Bethlehem is always where we are. Thanks for reading my book. I hope you'll send along your thoughts, insights, and questions. Blessed Advent!
I was imagining that trip to Bethlehem in a completely new light today, Jake…thanks to your post. I had not known about Joseph’s backstory, nor that there was likely not a donkey to carry either of them.
And while you do not mention this in your post, I was also reminded of the weight, the importance, the prominence that is placed upon not only Mary, but the women in Jesus’ inner circle. There was an inherent value of the women surrounding Jesus.
Angie, I'm grateful that we get to sort through these mysteries together. Thanks for reading and sharing your insights. Continued Advent blessings.....
I'm not pretending to be a "Mary," but I'm remembering being 30 years old, first time pregnant, and going skiing for the first time. Ok, I was only about 3 months along and it was the "bunny hill." As usual, your words got me thinking about things deeper than this! Thank you.
Thank you for reminding us that "Bethlehem is wherever your are." Earlier today I read a post online exhorting women to avoid being held back by saying, "I can't." Twenty or 30 years ago I would have been right there, discovering all the astonishing things I hadn't realized I could do, but at this stage in my life I have begun to feel guilty about needing--and often *wanting*--to say, "I can't." I'm reading your book now, and its message (so far) is very clearly that *being* is more important than *doing*, which is very reassuring. I never was, really, the sort of Mary who could or would walk 20 miles a day, never mind at eight months pregnant, and it is so good to know that when I get to be absolutely too old and weary to go to Bethlehem, Bethlehem and the birth of the Holy will continue to come to me.
I spent way too much of my life striving to reach Bethlehem. I'm a late bloomer, Mary. It took me an awfully long time to see that Bethlehem is always where we are. Thanks for reading my book. I hope you'll send along your thoughts, insights, and questions. Blessed Advent!
I was imagining that trip to Bethlehem in a completely new light today, Jake…thanks to your post. I had not known about Joseph’s backstory, nor that there was likely not a donkey to carry either of them.
And while you do not mention this in your post, I was also reminded of the weight, the importance, the prominence that is placed upon not only Mary, but the women in Jesus’ inner circle. There was an inherent value of the women surrounding Jesus.
Thank you for these insights and revelations.
Angie, I'm grateful that we get to sort through these mysteries together. Thanks for reading and sharing your insights. Continued Advent blessings.....
I'm not pretending to be a "Mary," but I'm remembering being 30 years old, first time pregnant, and going skiing for the first time. Ok, I was only about 3 months along and it was the "bunny hill." As usual, your words got me thinking about things deeper than this! Thank you.
So grateful that we get to think about deep things together. Blessed Advent Nancy