Rev. Chism's Weekly Message

"Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her." - Luke 1:38

Christmas Day is so much better when your child is excited about it. I remember my childhood and how I would be so excited. During those years I would wake up at 3AM to look at all the gifts around the Christmas Tree. My goal today is to never encounter the time of 3AM ever again.

Anticipation is so much fun. Several of our church families have adopted children or fostered. They have shared with me the joy of anticipating a new child or when the adoption officially happens. I am thankful for their stories. They inspire me because of the love they give. Many new days come their way.

We have many new days in our lives. Changes come our way and change the course we live. In most cases, we receive the news of this change through someone that gives us the message just before. Messengers are everywhere around us. They are a very important part of our lives.

An angelic messenger came to Mary one day. The story goes she had gone to the well to fetch water. Water is a sign of life. God's message to her was she would be the mother of Jesus. Literally and symbolically, she would be part of the birth of a new day. The Christ Child would come and usher in the gifts of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.

I hear the words of the song "Mary Did You Know?" echoing in my head. Mary had no clue that she would be part of the ancient prophecy God gave to Isaiah. She most likely knew the story of the future messiah. But being the mother of the messiah? She didn't have a clue.

The preparation began that day. Mary answered the servant call to live out the Word of God. She would give birth to the "Word" and the "Word" would be with them...and us today. Anticipation would overwhelm her. She would travel to visit her cousin, Elizabeth. A great celebration ensued.

Mary was with Jesus always from His birth to the Resurrection. She was at the foot of the cross the day she died. In most stories of the Resurrection, she got to experience the empty tomb. She was always a part of the new day God had given. She lived out the new day by being a servant to the end.

Our Advent journey is almost coming to an end. We will celebrate the birth of a new day given to us some 2,000 years ago. This beautiful new day we still live in today. Let us celebrate that we are born into Christ. New days abound in God's glory!

Stay Safe,

Rev. Baxter