To the Right

Jesus is the reason for the season.

Keep Christ in Christmas.

These sayings are great and jingly (haha) expressions for this Advent season. They are rhythmic but real reminders of what, rather WHO, is at the center of this season. 

Another key player, whose feast day falls during Advent each year, is Mary. How fitting that as we await the celebration of the birth of Jesus, we honor His mother Mary. Well, it’s fitting, but it’s also just mathematical - today marks 9 months before Mary’s birthday. Today we celebrate Mary’s Immaculate Conception - her pure and preserved-from-original-sin beginning in Anne’s womb.

I recently heard something about Mary that I just keep returning to. If you’re searching for one thing to take to prayer today about Mary, try this quote from St. Augustine: 

“Mary first conceived in her heart before she conceived in her womb.”

She conceived faith first and then the Lord. Mary loved with a holy love that made her the perfect tabernacle for Jesus. Ponder Mary’s fiat, her yes to the Lord. 

In church, we regularly see Mary displayed at Jesus’ right, or to the left of the altar as we view it. This is in accordance with the Jewish tradition of having the Queen Mother sit at the right hand of the King (1 Kings 2:19). Another explanation is that the left side of the church was known as the “Gospel Side,” and since Mary is seen biblically as the “New Eve” and plays an important role in Salvation History, she is placed on the left side. 

To the right of Jesus, we find Mary. 

May we honor her today for her purity, “Hail, full of grace!” (Luke 1:28)

For her mission, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:30)

And for her humility and fiat, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38)

Blessings on your Advent, as you look to the right of Jesus.