Advent Reflections: Day 21

Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.”

Luke 1: 46-56

Every long journey finds us in a place of doubt from time to time. The road is dusty, the weather turns cold, the stars and the moon hide behind clouds that threaten rain and we are in the dark. In moments like this, especially when we are coming to the close of a long journey, a time of waiting, we see a great unknown looming in the distance and the best way to move past the fear and the doubt is to remind ourselves of how we began. We remember what we had to overcome, we remember how we were sustained and we remember where we place our trust. In this passage for this 21st day of Advent Mary reminds us where we place our trust. She reminds of the great things God has done, she proclaims the greatness of the Lord and in this way, she bolsters herself for the next part of her journey and in turn, she bolsters us as well.

Our position today is called “Stone Table.” It is a position of strength. Over time, strength is built in this position by increasing the length of time it is held, by remembering good form and when we become tired, by re-committing to the position, keeping even breathing and pressing through for just a little longer. While holding this position, remind yourself of where you have been, how you have been sustained over the last few weeks and where you place your trust.

Stone Table

 

From Omega move forward to hands/knees and straighten legs keeping shoulderblades pressed together, head aligned with body and pelvis in line with body. Breathe steadily in this position, be sure to keep your elbows soft at the joint, never locked and press out from the mat.