Weekly Update// Pastor Chris
Dear Asbury Family,
Ask any parent, and I’m sure they’ll agree with the following: A baby changes everything.
I remember when Amanda and I first got the news that she was pregnant. While we were over the moon excited, we were also a bundle of nerves. Things immediately began to change in our world. We went to the car dealer and traded in Amanda’s two-door car for a kid-friendly vehicle. We transformed the spare bedroom into a nursery and the home office into a playroom. I made adjustments to my work schedule, and Amanda made the decision to temporarily stop working until Hannah and Noah were toddlers. A baby changes everything (or, in our case, babies change everything).
Well, if anyone understood the reality that a baby changes everything, certainly Mary, the mother of Jesus, did. After all, the child she was carrying wasn’t only going to change her world, he was going to transform the entire world.
Mary obviously had some sense that this child was unique given the angel Gabriel’s visit with her in Nazareth (Luke 1:26-38). She also understood the uniqueness of this child when the prophet Simeon spoke these words over Jesus when he was just eight days old, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul” (Luke 2:34-35 NLT).
I have often wondered if Mary thought back to Simeon’s prophetic message as she stood beneath the cross thirty-three years later and witnessed her own son’s execution.
A baby changes everything, but this particular baby had come to change things in a way no child has or will.
My prayer for all of us this Advent – as we draw closer to the celebration of Christmas and reflect on the significance of this holiday – is that we will open ourselves up to the transformative presence of Jesus Christ. He has come as Emmanuel, God-with-us, to change everything.
Blessings,
Chris
p.s. Some of you probably know that “A Baby Changes Everything” is actually the title of a Christmas song by Faith Hill. If you’re interested, you can listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1g1hp_Eb3o. It’s a wonderful song that speaks to Mary's special role in God's plan of salvation.
p.p.s. Be sure to join us this week for Asbury’s Christmas Cantata. Performances will be held in Asbury's sanctuary on Friday, December 10 at 6:30pm, Saturday, December 11 at 6:30pm, and Sunday, December 12, at 3:00pm. Hope to see you there!