Barrenness Advent Thought

Many women, celebrating Jesus' birth, see Mary's Holy Spirit-filled womb full, while their own remains empty.

For those who are barren, rejoicing in Christ's lowly birth is like singing with a hoarse voice; neither the notes sound right, nor the strength to sing them is present.

How do the barren celebrate the coming of The Savior when their highest desires remain unfilled? How do they honor the blessed mother, Mary, whom they long to be like yet seem so far from?

The beauty of the birth of Christ is that He, Jesus, the God-man, fills the void of lack.

For Joseph, He took the voice of confusion and filled it with confidence.

For Zechariah, Jesus filled his mouth with words through the Holy Spirit.

For the shepherds, Jesus took their quiet night and filled it with glory.

For Mary, her empty womb was filled with the salvation of the world.

Supposing there are many types of barrenness, the coming of Christ is profound because, like Joseph, Zachariah, the shepherds, and Mary, God can, in a moment, take man's/woman's barrenness and fill it with an eternal, unshakable hope found in the birth of the Savior — it’s the Savior, Jesus, who was made to enter the void of the night, the place in the heart that lacks, the need, and fill it.

For those feeling empty and barren this advent, confused by their own lack in a season of anticipation, may the Lord shift your eyes to see the way God has, and desires, to enter into the empty place of your heart, the space where the void is a wound.

Advent is the season to reflect on how God has extended not just His helping hand but His whole being through the birth of Christ to fill the soul's void of lack and replace it with the hope of eternity.