(This post is a follow-up to my last post, “Advent: Hope for the weak.” Please read it before this one.)

Dear women of faith,

This season’s message should especially resonate with us. Advent reminds us that throughout all of history, God chooses to manifest Himself through those whom the world sees as weak; those who are young, poor, abandoned, outcast, disgraced, slaves, barren, sickly, or sinners. The weak are lifted up by the love of God.

We are often looked upon as the weaker sex. In fact, I would personally have no problem with saying it altogether: Women are the weaker sex.

I boldly and calmly declare this because such a statement belongs in this world. In a world corrupted by sin, there are always people less appreciated, put down. The scales can never be equal in this world like they are in heaven.

We all know well the woman’s plight throughout history. Today, we can easily see women viewed as weaker by turning on the television, flipping through a magazine, or listening to the radio. We are viewed as objects to be used, consumed, taken full advantage of, and discarded when rendered useless. Our brains are smaller, we lack power and strength, we cry too much, talk too much, and spend too much money.

Sisters, I believe that we should embrace our “weakness.”

If this world deems us weak, let us love such a label as has been shared with David, Sarah, and the Blessed Mother. Even Her apparitions have been taken to the world by shepherds, peasants, and children. These messages – the most beautiful and important of all – have been given to the world in the unexpected package labeled “fragile” and “unwanted.”

May Christmas be a time during which women praise God for promises kept to the “weak.”

“About myself I will not boast, except about my weaknesses. Although if I should wish to boast, I would not be foolish, for I would be telling the truth. But I refrain, so that no one may think more of me than what he sees in me or hears from me because of the abundance of the revelations. Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians: 5-10)