“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!...As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.”
Luke 1:42,44
On the fourth Sunday in Advent we read from Luke’s gospel these beautiful words from one expectant mother to another - cousins: From Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist to Mary, mother of Jesus of Nazareth.
Elizabeth’s words were incorporated into prayer early in Christian practice – the Angelus Prayer – which was accompanied by the ringing of a church bell in a set pattern. This was done for many centuries three times a day – morning, noon, and evening. For many workers, the evening Angelus marked the end of the day’s work. And maybe sparked a moment of thanks for work and a restful evening. Such a prayerful attitude beautifully immortalised in the painting by Jean-François Millet (1857-1859).
We also, at Milton Anglican, ring the Angelus at the start of our Sunday worship. If you live in the immediate vicinity, you may hear it sometimes. And while it may not make us leap with joy, it is a call for us as Christ followers to give thanks and a reminder of who we are – people of God and blessed through figures such as Elizabeth and Mary.
Lord Jesus, light of the world,
blessed is Gabriel, who brought good news;
blessed is Mary, your mother and ours.
Bless your Church preparing for Christmas;
and bless us your children, who long for your coming. Amen
