ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 4, 2022
This morning at Cypress Creek Christian Church, we will look at the story that begins with Luke 1:26, a story of an angel coming alongside a young girl named Mary. It begins with the words:
“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.”
Karoline Lewis, a professor of preaching at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, wrote the following about this part of the Advent story
“Somehow, someway, a sermon on this text will negotiate the radical transformation in only three short verses, from peasant girl to prophet, from Mary to mother of God, from denial to discipleship. In a very real way, this is the appropriate transition from Advent to Christmas.”
Though we are not quite ready to exit Advent and enter the Season of Christmas, I am drawn to the transformation put clearly on display in this story. Mary was ALL in, not just a little bit or sort of. For that reason, she is an exceptional model to follow as we continue our journey through Advent.
Merciful Creator, Holy God, make the story of the Christ Child one in which we can fully immerse ourselves. This is not research seeking a few facts for a term paper. This is a story for us, a revelation of how your love found a way into the lives of all humanity. Draw me to the center of the stage so that I can witness and then bear witness to the good news taking flesh. Amen.
