By Kate Anderson
“Thou art all fair, my love, and there is no spot in thee.” (Canticle 4:7)
Today’s reflection is in anticipation of tomorrow’s Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
There is nothing quite like winter’s snow. We know well the belligerent deluge that upends travel plans while ensuring gainful employment for snowplows and shovels alike. But, despite our lesser mumblings and grumblings, we have much to learn from the white wonder of winter.
The White Pearl of Purity
The Nativity of Our Lord—and its customary white representation—exudes joy, glory, and light. (The people in darkness waited thousands of grueling years for His coming, so the twelve days of feasting are valid, no?) Yet, among these splendid ponderings, it is purity, an oft-overlooked virtue of the Christmas season, which merits our reflection today. And who better to show us the way to a pure and Immaculate Heart than the Blessed Virgin Mary?
By a special grace of the Lord, Our Lady was preserved from all that would stain and sully her beautiful soul. How else could the Vessel who would carry God Himself in her womb be suitable for this most divine office? We owe everything to this Spotless Rose. She refused God nothing, and through her, we have received everything: Every possible thing we need to know, love, and serve God in this world and be happy with Him forever in the next.
Imitating the Immaculata
A pure heart seeks nothing outside of this knowing, loving, and serving the Lord. And the love of a pure heart –given totally, faithfully, and freely—bears the most abundant harvest. We need to look no further than Our Lady to see how one Immaculate Heart can save infinite souls.
Purity draws us beyond the realms of this world’s dark wounds and brokenness, pointing us toward the whole and holy Love that heals all things. We may be in the midst of a bleak midwinter, but behold, He is making all things new (Revelation 21:5).
Prayer
O God, by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, You prepared a worthy habitation for Your Son; we beseech You, that, as by the foreseen death of Your same Son You preserved her from all stain of sin, so You would grant us also, through her intercession, to come to You with pure hearts. (Collect for the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph Daily Missal)
Call to Action
May the purification of our hearts be foremost among our preparations for Christmastide. There could be no sweeter gift to offer the Christ Child than a heart that desires to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him. Let us ponder these things alongside our Blessed Mother, asking for the grace that we might ever love Him more and more.
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What a beutiful reflection to begin my day. Thanks Kate!