As we journey through Advent, the season of anticipation and preparation for the birth of Christ, we are invited to reflect deeply on Mary’s fiat—her profound “yes” to God. Her response, “May it be done to me according to your word,” is a model of openness, trust, and surrender to God’s will. This same spirit is at the heart of NFP and God’s design for marriage and family.
Trusting in God’s Plan for NFP
Joseph and Mary’s acceptance of God’s call was an act of faith and courage. They trusted in God’s providence despite the uncertainties and challenges that lay ahead. In doing so, Mary opened herself to the miracle of life, becoming the Mother of our Savior. Her willingness to cooperate with God’s plan reminds us that true freedom lies in trusting Him, even when His plans differ from our own.
Natural family planning echoes this openness to life and trust in God. Rather than seeking to control or override fertility, NFP invites couples to understand and cooperate with the natural cycles of a woman’s body. It fosters a mindset of discernment and prayerful decision-making, encouraging couples to seek God’s guidance in their family planning.
Advent: A Season of Preparation and Hope
Advent is a time to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ, to live with expectant hope, and to grow in faith. It’s an invitation to embrace the mystery of God’s timing and plan, much like NFP invites couples to trust in His Will regarding the gift of children.
When practicing NFP, couples learn to communicate openly, grow in mutual respect, and deepen their relationship with God and each other. This aligns beautifully with Advent’s call to wait in joyful hope and prepare our hearts to receive Christ anew. Just as Mary and Joseph trusted in God’s plan for their family, couples using NFP are called to rely on God’s wisdom and timing in their journey of parenthood.
Relying on God in the Waiting
One of the most profound aspects of Advent is the waiting—waiting for the coming of Christ, for the fulfillment of God’s promises, and for the joy of salvation. This waiting teaches us to trust in God’s perfect timing, even when we cannot see the full picture. Similarly, NFP often involves periods of waiting: waiting as couples discern growing their family, waiting in infertility, and waiting in periods of abstinence. In both Advent and NFP, this waiting is not passive but active—a time of prayer, trust, and openness to God’s will.
Just as Mary trusted in God through her waiting, for couples using NFP the waiting becomes a journey of spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God’s grace.
Practicing NFP requires faith and trust, particularly during times of uncertainty. Much like Mary and Joseph faced the unknown with steadfast trust in God, couples using NFP often find themselves relying on God’s grace. This trust strengthens their faith and draws them closer as a couple to God.
Our Response This Advent
As we prepare our hearts in this Advent season, let’s strive to embrace Mary’s “yes” in our own lives. For those who practice or are considering natural family planning, let this season be a time to deepen your trust in God’s plan for your family and marriage. Take time to pray together as a couple, seek guidance from the Holy Spirit, and celebrate the gift of life in all its forms.
May Mary, the Mother of God, and St. Joseph intercede for us and inspire us to live with the same openness and trust that they demonstrated. Through their example and the grace of Advent, may we grow closer to Christ and more fully embrace God’s beautiful design for life and love.