Advent is a pregnant season, filled with anticipation, waiting, and hope. We await Jesus’ birth, the celebration of the Christmas season, and His Second Coming. The months of gestation likewise are an advent experience. Anticipation, waiting, and hope are things in the hearts of many a pregnant mother and an attentive father. 

 

Hope and joy were not initially in Mary’s heart when the angel Gabriel visited her at the Annunciation.

The Scripture account in the Gospel of Luke confirms that she was troubled. Yet Gabriel spoke words of comfort to her and also earlier to Zechariah when he announced the birth of John the Baptist. To both parents, Gabriel proclaimed, “Do not be afraid,” (Luke 1:13 and 1:30). 

 

In the announcements of Jesus’ and John’s unexpected births, Gabriel shared other words of comfort. Gabriel proclaimed the futures of both babies. John the Baptist would be “great in the sight of the Lord,” “filled with the Holy Spirit,” and “will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God” (Luke 1:15-16). Jesus, the angel told Mary, will “be called Son of the Most High,” “rule over the house of Jacob,” and have a kingdom with no end. Such promises from God of the good news of children’s lives would bring any parent comfort. 

 

Reflecting on Mary’s and Elizabeth’s unexpected babies leads me to consider the words that our Church encourages us to share with current-day parents who are unexpectedly expecting. Words of comfort and encouragement are key among these. Sharing our love and care for the unexpected mother or father is more helpful than responding with shock or judgment. Listen well so that we can hear their concerns and needs. Then we can offer specific help in response to these needs. 

 

Unexpected pregnancies happen in different situations that run the range of the two examples in the first book of Luke: from pregnancy in couples who are not married, to pregnancy in couples who thought their child-bearing years were past, and everything in between. Sadly, unexpected births are also the result of sexual violence and abuse. 

 

The common denominator of need in all these cases is prayer. We can lift up the baby, the mother, and the father in prayer. We can ask for the intercession of Mary and Joseph and of other amazing mothers and fathers who we count among the saints in heaven. We can help the frightened, uncertain parent turn to the saints as 

 

well. Some examples include St. Gianna Molla who died after preserving the life of the child in her womb when her own life was endangered; SS. Louis and Zélie Martin who are St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s parents; St. Gerard Majella who as the patron saint of pregnant women interceded after his death to ensure the healthy delivery for a woman; St. Anne, Mary’s mother; St. Joachim, Mary’s father; and 

so many others. 

 

Mary herself gave the premier example of what should follow after we pray for those who are expecting unexpectedly. Mary moved from her encounter with the angel to visit Elizabeth. Mary demonstrated friendship, solidarity, and love. We too must move from prayer to action to accompany a mother or father who is unexpectedly expecting. 

 

In this liturgical season of expectation, let us ask God for the grace to pray for and accompany today’s unexpected parents.