I love Advent! In particular, I love Mary’s Song found in Luke 1:46-55. It is a reminder that even in the midst of difficulty, we have a song to sing. It’s a song of joy. It’s a song of promise. It’s is a song of surrender. Yet, this Advent, I saw something different in the story. As I listened to that familiar passage of Scripture, I saw another reason Mary had a song. She was able to sing because this young, unwed and pregnant teenager had found a safe haven – a refugee in her time of trouble. Yes, Advent reminds us that the church is called to be a safe haven for teens that find themselves in trouble. Mary’s safe haven was the home of Elizabeth and Zechariah. My safe haven was a place called A. P. Shaw. Like Mary, I found loving and supportive adults who with a steady hand guided me through some of the pitfalls and uncertainties of life in the Big City with all of its trappings. There are other Marys and Roris who need safe havens. This challenge before the church this Advent is: “Will we be a safe haven?”