“Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.” (Luke 1:48b-50)
These words come from Mary’s song of praise that she sung something during her pregnancy. Despite everything happening around her, the uncertainty of her upcoming marriage, the vulnerability and terror of being an unwed, pregnant young woman, and the rejection she likely experienced, Mary still glimpsed the scale and scope of the good news she was part of bringing forth.
This good news transcends time and space – it is bigger than just Mary. Because this baby is coming for all people and his birth is just the beginning of the story. It’s a story meant to be passed on from generation to generation.
Like a tapestry woven throughout time, the Christmas story weaves us in—to remember how God has shown up in the past, to continue God's work in the world, to behold the presence of God in flesh and bone.
And so, this Advent season, we will look at the familiar characters of scripture and wonder: What did each character pass on or contribute? How did each character participate in God’s work? And how do we carry forth that work today?
Because the Christmas story isn’t just about something that happened thousands of years ago, it’s a story that calls us to action. We believe that the work of God is always unfolding in and through us, so how do we carry on that work?
And so, as we journey through this Advent, may we remember that we belong—to a story etched into the wrinkles of time, to generations that have come before and will come after, to a love that won’t let us go.
Grace and peace
Kimmy
P.S. Advent starts this Sunday, November 27!