The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will OVERSHADOW you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.
When the Moses and the Israelites wander in the wilderness they are re-assured by God’s presence, or glory, in the form of cloud by day and fire by night. It’s only Moses who is bold enough to ask to see God’s glory. It’s this glory which will fill the desert Tabernacle which the Israelites carry with them wherever they go. When the Temple is finally built, the Holy of Holies is the guaranteed dwelling place of God. In Judaism this presence is known as ‘shekinah’.
When we come to the story of the Annunciation and the angel’s words to Mary our biblical imaginations can draw upon the Old Testament thought world. That Mary will be ‘overshadowed’ by God’s power is a figurative way of saying that God will intervene directly. All of God’s power, presence, light, glory and love will be contained in Mary’s womb. This is a breathtaking promise. Mary is now the guaranteed dwelling place of God.
Needing to be re-assured of God’s presence is an experience in which we all share. People, places and rituals can give us a sense that God really is overshadowing our lives. Advent invites us deeper into that mystery.
Where have you felt God’s overshadowing presence this Advent?
(Luke 1:26-38, Dec 20th)