Lay it Down with the Trinity

This December, a series of daily Advent, devotional postings will run from December 1st to December 25^th. Journey beside Mary, the Mother of God, as she waits for the birth of Jesus.

STRENGTH

Scripture:

I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep…This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again (John 10:14-15, 18).

Quote of the Day: “Hold your eyes on God and leave the doing to Him. That is all the doing you have to worry about” (St. Jeanne de Chantal).

Reflective song ideas of the day (try YouTube!):
“Lay Down My Life,” by Sidewalk Prophets
“Lay it Down,” by Matt Maher

Questions: What am I attached to? Work? School? Projects? Myself? Money? Food? Alcohol? Technology or media? My reputation, family, house, or dreams? My future or vocation? Appearance, success, or opinion? My relationship? My plans?

MIND

Let’s pull out the wonderful gift of imagination. We are traveling to the Kingdom of Heaven. Though it is outside of time and space, let’s visualize ourselves traveling up above the sky. Imagine you are there with God and His millions of angels are praising Him at the foot of His throne. God is Triune and you get to see each Person of the Trinity. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. They are sitting together on one great golden throne. You look up at the dazzling Trinitarian God, discussing the state of the world below. Now, remember that God is outside of time and space, but for the sake of our human selves to begin understanding heavenly things, we must begin with the earthly terms that we know.

So, let’s imagine a conversation the Trinity has, but in an earthly language.

Imagine

“It is almost time,” The Father says to the Son and Spirit. “Look at how My chosen daughter, Mary, waits for Me in Nazareth. She prays to Me daily, awaiting any of Your movements, Spirit. She does not yet know that Spirit’s greatest movement will be the incarnation of My Son. Yet,” The Father says as He lifts up a finger, “she waits and listens, and Spirit will come to her in the great act of love.”

The Father then turns to His only Son, looking upon Him with love. “Son, will You lay down Your life for the people? Will You take on the form of man so that whoever believes in You will have eternal life?”

“Yes,” the Son says, “For I love the world.”

The Holy Spirit now speaks, “Father, are You willing to send Your only Son? So that the world may know You and see the image of the invisible God?”

“Yes,” the Father says, “For I love the world.”

“Spirit,” The Son says, “Will you go to Mary so that I, the Word, may become flesh and dwell among humanity? So that I may lay down My life for them and take it up again?”

“Yes, for I love the world.”

“And when My life has been taken, only to be taken up again,” the Son says, “I will prepare a place for them Here. And You, Spirit, will be sent to them and teach them everything and remind them of what I will tell them.”

“That You are coming soon,” the Spirit says, “bringing with You the recompense You will give to each according to his deeds.”

You look up at the Trinity, overwhelmed by God’s Word. Light emanates from the Trinity—so brightly that you can no longer see Them. You still hear the voice of God, but it now sounds like rolls of thunder.

(Scriptural Inspiration and Reference: Genesis 3:15; John 1:1-14; John 3:16; John 10:14-18; John 14:2-3, 26; Revelation 22:12)

HEART

Though you can’t comprehend it, you understand that each Person of the Trinity is laying down His life. Our Father lays down the life of His Son because He loves us. The Son lays down His life of His own free will because He loves us. This Love is the Holy Spirit. And Love is about to come upon Mary.

Mary isn’t even in the picture yet—she isn’t doing anything important–but the Trinity is already discussing Their plan to save the world. With our eyes set on heaven, let’s cast all of our cares upon God (1 Peter 5:7). He has plans for our welfare and salvation (Jer 29:11). As we begin this Advent journey beside Mary, let us trust that the Lord is in control and relish the knowledge that He lays down His life for us. And let’s get ready! The Lord is about to work marvels before our very eyes (1 Sam 12:16).

SOUL

My hopes and dreams: I lay it down.
My desires and yearnings: I lay it down.
My pain and troubles: I lay it down.
The largest problems: I lay it down
The petty annoyances: I lay it down.
The trivial frustrations: I lay it down.
My attachment to earthly things: I lay it down.
My daily anxieties: I lay it down.
My schedule: I lay it down.
My work: I lay it down.
My plans: I lay it down.
My friends and family: I lay it down.
My life: I lay it down.
My will: I lay it down.
All that I am: I lay it down.

Mary, as I begin this retreat, help me to lay all things down. I have plans and I want them followed through right now, but instead, I lay it down for God to take up.

Come, Lord Jesus.

Mary, teach me how to wait.