Dec 22, 2019
Luke 1:46-56; Philemon
1:10-21; Romans 6:20-23
Mary. The teenage mother of Christ.
She was born in occupied Israel. Rome had been the ruling presence
for years. Outside rules and outside taxes forcing outside
oppression over a people long oppressed. Then, at the birth of the
newborn king, the insiders begin their fragility. Herod asks the
wise men where the child is to be born. The hunt begins. The lies
begin, “I too want to come and worship him.” Then the decree, “All
male children under the age of two are to be slaughtered in
Bethlehem.” Oppressed from the outsiders while on the run from
their own king, Mary and Joseph find themselves in an unbelievably
difficult position. The kind of position that Christ himself, had
come to alleviate. The song O Holy Night, says, “Chains shall he
break, for the slave is his brother, and in his name all oppression
shall cease.” While we do not see this ceasefire in the governments
of oppression and greed today, we do see the kingdom of Christ in
the hearts of all who have allowed this king to take up residence
in their lives and in their community. Please join us as we light
the Advent candle of love and worship the God who breaks down the
walls of division.