Betty Brewer-Calvert As he was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child she carries was conceived by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21 CEB My husband and I became “empty nesters” this fall after nearly 24 years of parenting. As we returned the younger one to college and took the eldest to the airport for a job overseas, I was amazed at how quickly the years had passed since the arrival of our firstborn. I still remember vividly how my husband was calm in the midst of the storm when the baby decided to arrive at Thanksgiving instead of Christmas. We hadn’t packed a bag for the hospital. We hadn’t finished our child birthing classes or read all the chapters in “What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” Our doctor had been on call all weekend and would not be available; and, surprise (!), surgery would be required. My nerves were on edge; but my partner was calming and encouraging. In a few hours, he made the phone calls announcing the joyful news: “It’s a boy!” In the nativity story of Jesus, as in birth tales throughout the ages, most of the story is about the mother and child. Ann Weems writes in her poem, “Getting to the Front of the Stable,” that Joseph is often set in the background of the crèche, where we hardly notice him. We don’t know a lot about the carpenter who would become Jesus’ earthly father. We do know that he was present and accounted for at Mary’s side. Far from family members who might give aid and away from whatever comforts home might offer, it was surely a blessing to Mary to have Joseph tending her lovingly as she gave birth and protectively and vigilantly watching over the child in the manger. He confidently and faithfully named the child following the angel’s leading and, in the days and years to come, looked after Jesus’ wellbeing. Can’t you picture Joseph beaming with pride as the visitors came to behold the Holy Child? This quiet, loving support was a good start in the adventure he and Mary would have raising Jesus into the man who would teach, preach, heal, and save. As we consider the care Joseph offered to Mary and the babe, let’s give thanks for people in our own lives who have offered quiet, behind-the-scenes support at important times! - - - Dear God, thank you for choosing Joseph to share his life with Mary and to love and guide Jesus. We are grateful that you continue to show your love through special people in our lives. Amen. Betty is Director of Women’s Ministries for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Georgia (www.gadisciples.org). She is active at Decatur First Christian Church, where her husband, James, is pastor. They are the parents of two young adults, a black lab, and two cats. Betty attended Union Theological Seminary in NYC and will celebrate the 30th anniversary of her ordination next summer. She enjoys leading retreats and workshops. Other activities include: Atlanta’s Alliance Children’s Theatre Guild, book club, church choir, Spanish language learning, silly computer games, and occasional guitar playing. Life is full! I would love to hear from you. There are several ways to communicate and connect:
Join Fig Tree's Communication Board Join Fig Tree's Subreddit Follow our Pinterest page Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Betty Brewer-Calvert Afterward, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant. She kept to herself for five months. [Gabriel told Mary,] “Look, even in her old age, your relative Elizabeth has conceived a son. This woman who was labeled ‘unable to conceive’ is now six months pregnant. Mary got up and hurried to a city in the Judean highlands. She entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. With a loud voice she blurted out, “God has blessed you above all women, and he has blessed the child you carry. Luke 1:24, 36, 39-42 CE How must have Elizabeth felt when she learned she would have a son – after wanting a child for so long? We are told that she hid herself away. Was she trying to avoid being the “talk of the town?” Did she want to make sure it was really happening? Was this a holy time that she wanted to savor privately? Perhaps she was waiting until her pregnancy showed so folks wouldn’t think her crazy. Even her husband thought it incredible; scriptures tell us that he lost his voice because of his unbelief. Was the early part of Elizabeth’s pregnancy a wondrous time or a time of loneliness and isolation? I suspect the angel Gabriel had a dual purpose in sharing Elizabeth’s news with the young Mary! They each needed the company of the other, someone to share the wonder, the fear, the anticipation, and the incredulity of it all! Each was in a position to mentor the other. Mary’s presence surely filled Elizabeth with hope and promise; and, no doubt, Elizabeth helped Mary to see the blessing in this unexpected event. Do you remember a time when someone helped you put things in perspective, see light in the darkness, or feel hope in the midst of uncertainty? Who has been Elizabeth to your Mary or Mary to your Elizabeth? Give thanks today for a special friend or relative who provided a listening ear, a well-placed smile, a hand, a hug, or a loving word of encouragement when you were in need. Use this day as an opportunity to reach out to someone who may need a well-timed visit or an encouraging word. - - - Loving God, help me to be an encouragement to someone today. Thank you for well-placed people who’ve made time for me just when I needed it! Amen. Betty is Director of Women’s Ministries for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Georgia (www.gadisciples.org). She is active at Decatur First Christian Church, where her husband, James, is pastor. They are the parents of two young adults, a black lab, and two cats. Betty attended Union Theological Seminary in NYC and will celebrate the 30th anniversary of her ordination next summer. She enjoys leading retreats and workshops. Other activities include: Atlanta’s Alliance Children’s Theatre Guild, book club, church choir, Spanish language learning, silly computer games, and occasional guitar playing. Life is full! Daphne Reiley The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. God is honoring you. Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. He will rule over Jacob’s house forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom.” Luke 1:30-33 CEB I've given up trying to get my head around my life right now! So many holy times, so much heartbreaking pain and confusion surrounds me as I attempt to move through the day. I believe the message is to let go. My God, my Lord has this – yet I still struggle. These are my thoughts as I have been navigating what it means to mother two teens through their own emotional and spiritual journeys. We could imagine Mary having these thoughts. Mary must have been wrapped up in so many conflicting emotions and obligations leading up to the birth of her baby. Would all be as promised? How could she see her life as promised? As I approach that Holy Birth, how am I choosing to see God's promises in my life? - - - Creator and Creating God, in the midst of my life, help me to stay focused on your promises, on your presence, on the hope you shared in and through Jesus. Help me to choose to see my life and the lives of those around me through those promises. Amen. Daphne is a modern mystic who finds herself in the midst of caregivers who are seeking emotional and spiritual support. Daphne enjoys facilitating support groups, threshold gatherings, and prayer circles. She is also available as an anam chara, or spiritual friend, to caregivers. In 2013, Daphne co-authored A Tapestry of Love, the Spirituality of Caregiving with Joseph V. LaGuardia. Tapestry provides caregivers with inspiration and hope. Support is offered through the explanation and introduction of a number of spiritual practices. The book is available through www.atapestryoflove.com and through Amazon I would love to hear from you. There are several ways to communicate and connect:
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