December 8
Feast of the Conception of Mary
Today, Christians around the world honor God’s gift of the faithful, courageous woman who would become the Mother of Christ, our savior. As we prepare for Jesus’ coming into our lives during this Advent season, we remember that it all started with a young, frightened teenager who opened her heart—and her whole life—to be a vessel for God’s love. May we all open ourselves to God’s brooding Spirit to do new and hopeful things through us.
Mary the dawn, Christ the perfect Day;
Mary the gate, Christ the heavenly Way,
Mary the root, Christ the mystic Vine;
Mary the grape, Christ the sacred Wine.
Mary the wheat-sheaf, Christ the living Bread;
Mary the rose tree, Christ the Rose blood-red.
Mary the font, Christ the cleansing Flood;
Mary the chalice, Christ the saving Blood.
Mary the temple, Christ the temple’s Lord;
Mary the shrine, Christ the God adored.
Mary the beacon, Christ the haven’s Rest;
Mary the mirror, Christ the Vision blest.
– Medieval Hymn
I am happy to have come across your blog! I found it
because of the image you used of the open heart in an earlier
post.[which I found from google “images”. I have linked to your
blog in my latest post. I hope you don’t mind!