“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” ~Ephesians 2:19-22

These are crazy times we are living in and many ask, “What is going on?” Many talk about it feeling apocalyptic yet imagine the times Mary lived in prior to Jesus’s birth.  There were inequalities, injustices, questionable leaders, and no doubt, people were looking for and anticipating a savior who would bring order, justice and peace.   

Mary prayed for such a savior and served God in such a way to be an instrument of his peace, a vessel for his love.    

This Advent season, we are called to be like Mary.  To be vessels of God’s love.  What would be required of a vessel to hold such a valuable treasure?  

The vessel would need to be strong, unshakable, sturdy, firm, and sure.  The vessel should be pure and holy and sacred and beautiful. 

The vessel would also need to be easily accessible so that God’s love and power and grace and blessings could flow through it rather than be stuck or held there without room to grow or spread or multiple. 

The vessel ideally would be clean and visible so that it would never defile the contents yet it was never hidden either – something for all to see so if anyone desired a piece of the contents, they would know fully what they were asking for and receiving.  

If we are to become vessels of God’s love like Mary, our faith needs to be strong, unshakable, sturdy, firm and sure.  

Our thoughts, words and actions need to be pure and holy and sacred and beautiful.  

And if we want to be a part of building God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, we need to be accessible and visible and ready to serve both God and others by pouring out and restoring the love and the hope and the blessings that God filled us, his vessels with upon our creation.  

To prepare your heart for the coming of Jesus, what do you need to do to become a stronger, holy, accessible and visible Christian?