Advent Musing

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
from Mary's Song in Luke 1:51

We were on the road back to Poitiers after visiting some Roman ruins. The scale of the ruins showed the grandeur of the place in its heyday. All that remained were toppled columns, pieces of walls and hints of the labor involved to build it. It was thought-provoking to ponder how leaders and countries rise and fall, and how they think they have power (but don't, really). All that's left are "ruins" in every sense of the word.

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts...

Then we saw this double rainbow.

I come back to this picture, again and again, seeing the beauty, the creativity, and the providential timing of God. Humans can "create" rainbows with lights and vapor and so on... but the hidden power behind this always leaves me in awe. I have such a sense of "smallness."

Mary models that attitude for me. Not cowed before God, but aware of the power, the mighty arm that builds up and tears down. The God who is from everlasting to everlasting, could blast us all into a new reality.

Instead, he sends a sign, as gentle as a rainbow. A baby. A redeemer.

Pretty amazing, actually, the more I think about it...

Deb