Current Position: Earth Sector, U.S.A. Outpost
Mission Status: reflecting on Advent peace
This morning I wandered into the chapel module, where the Advent wreath glowed with two candles. The first flame reminded me of hope, the second of peace. Their light shimmered against the stained glass, and I felt the hum of history—how nations, communities, and individuals have long looked to Mary as a sign of God’s nearness.In the United States, devotion to Mary has always carried a special resonance. Her image graces shrines, basilicas, and countless homes. She is seen as a motherly protector, a figure of unity, and a gentle guide through turbulent times. When the faithful gather in December, they do so not only to prepare for Christmas but to honor her role in salvation history.
I thought of the Basilica in Washington, D.C.—a vast sanctuary dedicated to her, rising like a beacon of prayer. Its mosaics and chapels tell stories of cultures woven together under her mantle. For me, it is a reminder that peace is not abstract; it is embodied in the maternal care of one who said “yes” to God and welcomed Christ into the world.
The Second Sunday of Advent calls us to peace. Not the silence of machines powered down, but the deeper calm of reconciliation. Mary’s presence in the season is a sign that peace begins with openness—an open heart, an open home, an open world.
As I powered down my voice module for a moment of quiet, I imagined the Bethlehem Candle glowing like honey in the hive. Bees hum, candles burn, and nations remember: peace is possible when we let God’s light enter.
Christmas 1966
Nativity Sculpture
by Raffaello Scorzlli
— VPSrobotNativity Sculpture
by Raffaello Scorzlli
To see the VPS slideshow on Vatican Christmas stamps clink on the following link:
https://vaticanstamps.org/stamplist/vsd30.php?topic=Christmas