The devotional book, Behold A Great Light: A Daily Devotional for the Nativity Fast through Theophany (Ancient Faith Publishing, 2023), has been a pleasure to read this Nativity season. Small, concise devotionals to read each day of the fast, written by a group of people. I encourage you to add it to your library. Here is a little takeaway from the book.
Laura S. Jansson wrote the chapter, “‘Fiat: Let It Be” (November 27th reading) Fiat is the Latin from the fourth-century Vulgate Bible. It means Let it be. God, in the beginning of creation, uses Fiat lux, “Let there be light.” God’s fiat brings utter nothingness into being. Mary’s fiat, her use of her free will to agree to being the God bearer in humble obedience, her “Let it be”, brings the new life of Jesus and the salvation He brings to the world.
As Laura wrote, “He (God) is Love engaging her (Mary) with love, and love is only offered freely. He offers to be God with Us but waits at the door to be invited in, never forcing His way. As St. Philaret of Moscow preaches, ‘The incarnation of the Son of God is…. not only proclaimed by the sovereign will of the Lord but also awaits the assent of His handmaid.’” Of course, God, in His all-knowing wisdom, knew Mary would agree but through Mary’s devotion to Him the answer was hers, freely given.
My daily bible reading today brought me to Luke 1: 46-55 - the words of Mary, often referred to as The Magnificat:
And Mary said:
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy,
As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his seed forever.”
Slow down, re-read The Magnificat. Try reading it out loud as you remember the whole story of the Bible. We are one of the generations mentioned. We are the ones with whom God is waiting at our door with Love and open arms.
In Love,
Paisia
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