Our celebration of Advent is more than decorating a Christmas tree, lighting an Advent candle or singing carols. Advent is a time for dealing with belief and unbelief. Our readings for Monday and Tuesday this week from Matthew’s gospel speak of religious unbelief in the chief priests and elders as Jesus enters Jerusalem. (Matthew 21: 22- 32) They are religious leaders and scholars, but they do not recognize God’s plan revealed in him. 

Friday we will read Luke’s account of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. While carrying out his duty of prayer in the temple as a priest, he does not believe in an angel promising that he and his wife will have son. Even as a priest in a holy place, worshipping in God’s temple, he does not recognize God’s plan.

Besides the unbelief of religious people, political unbelief is described repeatedly in our Advent readings. Ahaz, king of Judea, sees the world through the lens of politics, as he turns a deaf ear to God’s word, spoken by the Prophet Isaiah. He will deal with his neighbors as he thinks best. His words and wisdom alone are what counts. 

Mary stands in contrast to an unbelieving world. She represents the “remnant” the prophets speak of. She believes and accepts the angel’s promise, even as she wonders “how can this be?”. 

The Advent season tells us to stand with her.