"Behold, you shall conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High…for nothing is impossible with God."

(Luke 1:31-32,37)

A few days ago, I became a great-aunt. My brother’s oldest son and his wife gave birth to a precious baby girl, and the world will never be the same. Throughout the pregnancy and birth, they counted on the support, advice, and coaching of a wonderful midwife. She was attentive to the signs and rhythm of growing life and guided the new parents with sensitivity and skill. She was particularly valuable to them when complications arose in the birth process, making it much more difficult than anyone had anticipated. The midwife was not able to control the pregnancy or the birth – that was out of her hands – but she was able to encourage, nurture, and help in the birthing process.

In this season of Advent, we wait with hope-filled anticipation to celebrate once again the miraculous and world-changing event of Jesus’ birth. We do not, however, celebrate Christmas as a past event. We know that in order for God’s reign to fully come, Christ must continually be born and carried into the midst of our troubled world.

In many ways, we religious educators act as midwives for our young people, patiently walking with them and nurturing the baptismal life, the Christ-life that is being born. As we teach and guide, we learn to look below the surface and read the signs of the Spirit’s movement in each child. We watch for signs of trouble, praying for wisdom and working through difficult times. We feed and encourage budding faith, rejoicing in each milestone. We are sometimes painfully aware of how little control we exert over what will happen and when; God directs the action within each young person. Yet we pledge ourselves to these nascent Christians as we coach, support, and guide. Imitating the humble willingness of Mary, the God-bearer, we offer ourselves as instruments through which Christ can be born anew.

This Advent, be especially aware of the pregnant life in your classrooms and formation sessions. Pray to let go of control in order to better cooperate with the movement of the Spirit. Be attentive to where and how Christ is being born, especially in unexpected people and in unexpected ways. Even the most recalcitrant young person may surprise you. After all, nothing is impossible with God.

Amy Florian