I’m going to be a grandma! Our oldest son and his wife are expecting; the baby is due in March.
Over Thanksgiving, our son and daughter-in-law came home for the long weekend. We looked at pictures of how the nursery is coming together. We talked about upcoming doctor visits and baby names. Our daughter and daughter-in-law went Black Friday shopping for baby clothes and talked about a baby shower.
Amidst the excitement and energy, I found myself intentionally taking moments to pause, listen, and observe. I watched how the couple interacted with each other. I listened in on some of the father–son conversations throughout the weekend. I reflected on my own journey of becoming (and being) a parent. I thought a lot about how my son is experiencing the anticipation and preparation for the birth of his son. Quite fitting for the season of Advent, right?!
Imaginative prayer is one of my favorite ways to connect with God. Placing myself into a biblical scene, engaging all of my senses to truly digest the context, and having authentic conversations with a key figure from the story deepens my understanding and strengthens my connection with God. In my imaginative prayer, I have visited several scenes of the birth story of Jesus. I have spent time with Mary, the shepherds, and even the animals in the stable. But I have to say, I have never spent time with Joseph. Today’s Gospel sparked that opportunity.
While the graces received from imaginative prayer are personal and unique, I share with you some of my reflections from praying with Joseph after receiving the news that Mary was to give birth to Jesus. I envisioned the relationship and interactions between Joseph and Mary, and the impact of the news that Mary was expecting a child. I asked Joseph about the details of the visit with the angel. I pondered who Joseph turned to for advice and how he prepared for the life changes that lie ahead for him and his family. I considered the roller coaster of emotions that Joseph would have been experiencing. Astonishment and anger when finding out Mary was with child. Fear, panic, and awe when the angel visited him. Honor and possibly elation in knowing that he, too, was selected to be a part of Christ’s birth story. Add in some nerves, self-doubt, and exhaustion that accompany the anticipation of becoming a parent. And of course, a lot of pressure because after all, this was no ordinary child.
As we all prepare for the birth of Jesus, the season of Advent opens an invitation to pause, listen, and observe, and to reflect on the anticipation and preparation from a variety of perspectives.
Becky Nickerson
As a Creighton employee of over 20 years, a course instructor, an alumna, and a mom of a Bluejay alum, I am grateful that so much of my journey has been centered in a place that has encouraged me to explore and grow in my faith and live out a mission that is core to my own value system. I love my work, I am rooted in my faith, and I’m really not sure how I could ever separate them at this point. I am excited to be a new contributor to Creighton’s online ministry – learning and serving in a new way.
