In the last couple years I have added a couple pieces to my Willow Tree Nativity. One of these is considered part of the nativity set, while the others are not. The angel that is called The Angel of Life by Willow Tree, I have named Gabriel. The two women that the Willow Tree calls sisters, I have used as wise women for Epiphany.
I have usually used a pregnant Willow Tree figure for Mary during Advent, but this year as I decided to follow the 40 day Celtic Advent tradition, I wanted to start with a figure of Mary where she was not showing her pregnancy. There is a Hallmark store that carries the Willow Tree figures I visited this past weekend in search of another Mary option and I came out with nothing.
Thinking about what other options I might have for a flat stomach Mary, I thought of the Sisters figure. When I looked closer, I decided that it could definitely be Mary and her cousin, Elizabeth, as well.
What many call the “Hail Mary” is actually biblical from the angel Gabriel’s message to Mary and also Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary when Mary came to visit her. The Hail Mary is one of the main prayers of the five decade rosary.
In the figure I am using for Mary and Elizabeth, I see Elizabeth as the figure with the darker dress earnestly clasping Mary’s right hand saying, “Hello Mary. Blessed are you among women, and blessed it the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:42) Then Mary telling Elizabeth her about the visit from the angel Gabriel. (Luke 1:28)
One of the books I have decided to use as a devotional for Celtic Advent this year is Birthing the Holy: Wisdom from Mary to Nurture Creativity and Renewal by Christine Valters Paintner. The book introduces 31 archetypes of Mary, which one might also call devotions to Mary. The first chapter I read today (along with a quite long introduction that I would probably read alone to prepare next time) was Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary: She Who Guides Us in Prayer.
Maybe what I have depicted in the photo above is the first two meditations on the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary together–The Annunciation, and the Visitation.
Mary, Mother of God, pray for us as we ponder how we might also earnestly say “yes!”
