Advent Journeys 2
Sunday 8th December 2024
This is the second of our Advent Journeys. In it, we remember Mary’s journey from Nazareth to visit her cousin Elizabeth in the hill country of Judea, and her return home.
As usual, we will follow the Four Steps of Pilgrimage, consisting of images and thoughts for meditation. On a practical note, there is no set time to start or finish. The pilgrimage can be completed in a few minutes, or alternatively can be periodically revisited later on.
Step [1] - Holy Longing
First of all, you are invited to read Luke chapter 1.39-56, in which Mary goes to meet her cousin Elizabeth.
Then, throughout the coming journey, we will be reflecting particularly on the following verse:
“Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea”
Step [2] - Pilgrim Journey
This is the step where you review and reflect on your thoughts and experiences.
Our reading tells us that Mary “hurried” from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea. But in practical terms, what was the reality of that hurried journey? And why did she hurry?
To be honest, despite being familiar with the story for over 60 years, I had no mental concept of what such a journey would have meant.
Looking into it, I discovered that it would involve travelling between 80 and 100 miles. As the map shows, this meant leaving Nazareth in the north, then travelling by an indirect route, via Jericho and Jerusalem, to the hill country of Judea.
Where would you come to if you travelled 80 to 100 miles from your own home?
The Bible doesn't tell us any of the details of her journey. How long did it take?
Going by foot, averaging 20 miles a day, would have taken four or five days. Even going by donkey may not have been much quicker.
Continuing to think about our own environment, have we ever travelled 100 miles by foot, bicycle or even on a donkey, on consecutive days? Such a journey would be challenge, or an impossibility, for many of us today.
For us, to cover the same distance, perhaps we have a car in which case it may be a two-hour drive. But for Mary, it would have required physical effort to make that potentially dangerous journey.
These considerations may make us realise that there must have been a very powerful incentive to cause Mary to make that hurried journey.
Step [3] - Prayerful Arrival
Your reflections on the journey become formulated into definite ideas and prayers.
Despite the challenges, Mary made the journey. True, God had already touched her a unique and powerful way, as we learnt from last week’s journey.
Nevertheless, her continuing submission was necessary for the unfolding of the gospel story. Her encounter with Elizabeth was rewarded with further wonderful Divine revelations.
From our reading, you might like to pray into Elizabeth’s prophetic words to Mary:
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!”
And Mary's response:
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.”
Pray too about the way in which you have also been hearing from God, and what your response has been.
Step [4] - Servant Response
This is the practical application of what you have learnt from your pilgrimage through the Scriptures.
Right at the end passage of Scripture we read:
“Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.”
Pray about your own “homecoming” from this time of meditation, and what you will be taking away to share with other people.
