Luke 1:38 “Behold, I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. n
nThe title of the text series I use with my Latin students is Ecce Romani, “Behold the Romans.” The word ‘ecce’ (pronounced eh-kay) means ‘look’, ‘behold.’ The word is used to turn the reader’s attention to the language, culture and history contained within the treasure house of the textbook. ‘Ecce’ is an important word in the Vulgate, St. Jerome’s Latin translation of the Bible from the original Hebrew and Greek. Often, English translations of the text omit the word, perhaps considering it too old fashioned or unnecessary. In the Advent story, however, ‘ecce’ occurs often and prominently and, I think, deserves special notice.
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nIn Matthew’s account, the arrival of the angel delivering a message typically begins with ‘ecce.’ In Matthew 1:20, when the angel appears to Joseph, the text reads “Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him” (my translation) to tell him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. In Luke 1:31, the angel Gabriel begins his message to Mary with ‘ecce’: “Behold, you will conceive and will bear a son.” Mary herself uses the word in her response to the angel’s message: “Behold the maid servant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) In Luke 1:44, Elizabeth uses ‘ecce’ to call attention to her own baby’s leaping in the womb in response to Mary’s greeting: “For behold! As the voice of your greeting was brought to my ears, the infant in my womb exulted in joy”. In Luke 2:9 the word occurs to call attention to the appearance of the angel to the shepherds: “Behold an angel of the Lord stood next to them” and in verse 10 the angel announces “Behold, I bring good news of great joy for all peoples.”
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‘Ecce’ is a rich and important word! It calls our attention, begs our notice. What deserves our attention more than the news of the promise and miracle of Advent?
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For me, ‘ecce’ is a call to be attentive, to live in intentional awareness and gratitude for all of the good news and everyday wonderful gifts with which our awesome God showers us – the stars, the seasons, the songs of birds and beauty of flowers. As Mary Oliver so aptly expresses in her poem “Yes No”: “To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.”
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nSo, in this season of Advent,
nEcce the song in your heart,
nEcce the miracle of your life,
nEcce the angel that brings news
nEcce the whispers of God in the silence
nEcce the babe in the manger
nEcce the miracle of Emmanuel – God with us!
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nPrayer: God of mystery and miracle, open all our senses to behold the innumerable gifts you give us each day. Help us live this precious life with focus and attention, in constant and genuine awareness of your presence with us. Amen.
nEcce the song in your heart,
nEcce the miracle of your life,
nEcce the angel that brings news
nEcce the whispers of God in the silence
nEcce the babe in the manger
nEcce the miracle of Emmanuel – God with us!
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nPrayer: God of mystery and miracle, open all our senses to behold the innumerable gifts you give us each day. Help us live this precious life with focus and attention, in constant and genuine awareness of your presence with us. Amen.
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nBetty Schroeder
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