This Advent Story & Commentary is based upon Chapter 5, Thursday of my devotional narrative book called "The Advent of God through Mary." The setting of this story is the evening after the Magi leave Bethlehem and is based upon Matthew 2: 1-13, 6:1-4, Isaiah 9: 6,7 & Psalm 113, Story #19. In today's Story Mary & Joseph & Jesus are just about to make one major unexpected life-change; won't be the last time for this couple. It strikes me it is a story and reflection uniquely appropriate during the culmination of this Advent Season with it's celebration of the Wise Men and on the edge of Epiphany Sunday at the genesis of a new year. So enjoy, using the link below

"Over-Shadowed" is taken from Chapter 1 "Mary's Times", Friday's Devotional centered on the emotional response of Mary to the 'overshadowing' of her body, impregnating here with the very Son of God; the moment Mary becomes the 'Mother of God'. Reflect with Terry on what this moment must have been for Mary and consider how God's shadow of Presence covers your own life experience.

This is the third in a series of Podcast Devotionals from my book "The Advent of God Through Mary". This theme is developed more fully in Chapter 4 "Bethlehem's Surrender" and explores our human response to God's initiative of Love, inviting each of us to offer ourselves as vessels through whom God's life is fleshed out into the Story of humankind, just as the Presence of the Divine lived in and through Mary of Nazareth.