Posada

Today I welcome Mary and Joseph to the Teapot. They have journeyed from blog to blog through this Advent season. The traditional form of Posada is for figures of Mary and Joseph to journey from one home to another through Advent, until they return to the church from which they set out to be placed in the midst of their nativity home. But they have also made this virtual journey, starting out with Andii, journeying onwards through December, resting with Bob Carlton yesterday and, nearing the end of their journey, they will move on to abbey nous tomorrow.

As Advent, and the blog journey has progressed I have wondered what might be left unsaid by the time Mary and Joseph reached this resting place. That question has sat in the back of my mind each time I have looked at the picture, and my eyes fix upon Mary's hands. Hands resting affectionately and protectively on her swollen belly, hands and eyes fixed in wondering and waiting? Joseph is pressing onwards - concerned with the needs at hand, straining to reach a place of security and safety that proves at first elusive. Mary guards, and loves, the baby within her. And as I keep looking at that image I think of the words of the Psalmist:
"Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!"
Words that may have encouraged the expectant young woman, and words that hold as much meaning for us as we look back to that birth and forward to an awesome return.
And so, as much has already been said, I leave you with these words again...
"Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!"