Last Sunday, Catiana preached a fine Advent sermon on patience. The texts spoke about patience and waiting. And we recited together those words of Mary, words she sang after the angel Gabriel had informed her that she would soon bear a child. After an initial disturbance and perplexity, Mary yields and becomes the bearer of God. She is traditionally seen as representative of the church, a model for the church, which is also to respond with openness and patience, in order to become the bearer of God for the world.
Patience is a wonderful gift, an admirable virtue.
Of course we do well to contemplate Mary's receptiveness. But, fortunately for those of us who are more hesitant and less receptive, there are other stories in Advent. There is, for example, Joseph. Joseph's character is not developed elaborately in scripture. Only a few lines here at the beginning.