WEEK TWO: INTERVENTION AND FAITHFULNESS
DECEMBER 4-10
SCRIPTURE READING AND REFLECTION:
Luke 1:26-38
The Birth of Jesus Christ Foretold
Our waiting as humans often feels predictable. We know what we are waiting for, we have an idea of how long we will be waiting, and in the meantime we simply have to endure the mundanity of an unfulfilled life. And yet, the pattern of the work of the Lord is not merely to keep his promises to us, but to do so in a way that completely surprises and shocks us.
There is, perhaps, no greater biblical example of this than Mary’s shocking interaction with Gabriel in the first chapter of Luke. In contrast with her cousin, Elizabeth, Mary was not waiting for a child, she was not even married yet! And while God worked through natural means to provide a son for Elizabeth and Zechariah (albeit in their old age), Jesus was to come about through a supernatural work which never had and never would be done again. And while John would take on all the trappings of a prophet that Israel was familiar with (being born to a family of priests, living as one who took a Nazirite vow, calling people to repentance), Jesus took on the form of a Savior that none would have expected: coming as a lowly servant and gaining victory by defeat. In every way, Jesus represents an even more shocking intervention of the Lord than John’s arrival was.
And yet, this astonishing arrival also gave way to one of the most radical responses of faithfulness in the Bible, as Mary responds to this surprise with: “Let it be to me according to your word.”
Mary knew that even in shocking, unexpected intervention, the purposes of God are always greater than the purposes of man. God has an eternal perspective that dwarfs our limited sight. In trusting the Lord’s character, his promises, and his word, Mary could submit herself even to the most stunning of interruptions. If the Word of the Lord is good, then it becomes easy to say, even in our surprise, “Let it be to me according to your word.”
Luke 1:26-38
The Birth of Jesus Christ Foretold
Our waiting as humans often feels predictable. We know what we are waiting for, we have an idea of how long we will be waiting, and in the meantime we simply have to endure the mundanity of an unfulfilled life. And yet, the pattern of the work of the Lord is not merely to keep his promises to us, but to do so in a way that completely surprises and shocks us.
There is, perhaps, no greater biblical example of this than Mary’s shocking interaction with Gabriel in the first chapter of Luke. In contrast with her cousin, Elizabeth, Mary was not waiting for a child, she was not even married yet! And while God worked through natural means to provide a son for Elizabeth and Zechariah (albeit in their old age), Jesus was to come about through a supernatural work which never had and never would be done again. And while John would take on all the trappings of a prophet that Israel was familiar with (being born to a family of priests, living as one who took a Nazirite vow, calling people to repentance), Jesus took on the form of a Savior that none would have expected: coming as a lowly servant and gaining victory by defeat. In every way, Jesus represents an even more shocking intervention of the Lord than John’s arrival was.
And yet, this astonishing arrival also gave way to one of the most radical responses of faithfulness in the Bible, as Mary responds to this surprise with: “Let it be to me according to your word.”
Mary knew that even in shocking, unexpected intervention, the purposes of God are always greater than the purposes of man. God has an eternal perspective that dwarfs our limited sight. In trusting the Lord’s character, his promises, and his word, Mary could submit herself even to the most stunning of interruptions. If the Word of the Lord is good, then it becomes easy to say, even in our surprise, “Let it be to me according to your word.”
MUSIC:
ARTWORK:
Meg Hewitt
The King’s Nest, 2022
Interior Design
Interior design is not an art form that most would gravitate towards when thinking about advent. But, let me explain.
In psychology, “nesting” is an overwhelming urge that drives many pregnant women to clean, organize and get life in order before baby arrives (sometimes) months in advance. This can look many different ways, but I imagine a modern Mary would channel much of her new-found joy and significant time in waiting creating an exceptional space for her son. All the while, certainly, utilizing the gifts and talents of her carpenter fiancé.
A nursery created with great intent and purpose – just like our King, the Messiah. Many symbolic elements have been used in this design to capture who Jesus is and parts of his story yet to be told including, but not limited to, the numerous sun forms illustrating the light of the world, the three-light hanging pendant over the crib representing the holy trinity, the potted fountain palm tree representing the palm branches he was greeted with upon his arrival into Jerusalem and gold finishes representing triumph and his rightful royal throne. Can you find the others?
The King’s Nest, 2022
Interior Design
Interior design is not an art form that most would gravitate towards when thinking about advent. But, let me explain.
In psychology, “nesting” is an overwhelming urge that drives many pregnant women to clean, organize and get life in order before baby arrives (sometimes) months in advance. This can look many different ways, but I imagine a modern Mary would channel much of her new-found joy and significant time in waiting creating an exceptional space for her son. All the while, certainly, utilizing the gifts and talents of her carpenter fiancé.
A nursery created with great intent and purpose – just like our King, the Messiah. Many symbolic elements have been used in this design to capture who Jesus is and parts of his story yet to be told including, but not limited to, the numerous sun forms illustrating the light of the world, the three-light hanging pendant over the crib representing the holy trinity, the potted fountain palm tree representing the palm branches he was greeted with upon his arrival into Jerusalem and gold finishes representing triumph and his rightful royal throne. Can you find the others?