Reflections for December, 2024

For the past year I have been leading a Bible study on the Gospel of Luke, and I love the discussion we women have as we dig deeper into the saving ministry of Jesus from his birth to his resurrection.  What I love about Luke’s accounts is his inclusion of many women and their significant roles in the life of Jesus.  Beginning with chapter one, Luke identifies two women who see and understand that God is breaking into their world in a new way, and they willingly submit to work with God in whatever their part may be. 

Elizabeth becomes a priest as she blesses Mary and the infant in her womb.  Her lineage is in the priestly line of Aaron and though she is married to a priest, he is struck dumb and unable to fulfill his role and so Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit, takes on the role of the priest as she offers the blessing: “Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord”.  Not only is this blessing upon Mary and the Christ child, but Elizabeth also recognizes her own role in believing in the fulfillment of God’s promises, as witnessed by the child in her own womb who leaps with joy. 

Mary, through her song which we call “The Magnificat” takes on the role of the prophet as she recounts what God has done in the past through the people of Israel and can foresee that work continuing through the child implanted in her womb by the Holy Spirit.  Her song identifies the mercy that God has upon those who fear and honor God and how God has humbled the proud and brought down the powerful, fed the hungry and sent away the rich.  She understands that the child she bears will continue this work and as we read Luke’s gospel account, that is exactly what Jesus will do and so much more! 

Mary also becomes the temporary temple as the presence of God in all his glory and “shekinah” literally dwells within her.  The Son that she will birth will be the final and true temple of God, replacing forever the need for a physical temple and its blood sacrifices.  Jesus becomes the final sacrifice and as we read in the final book of Revelation in the new Jerusalem there will be no temple for “God will dwell with them.  They will be his people and God himself will be with them” [Rev. 21:3] 

Christmas is a wonderful time to recognize the roles of women in the Scriptures and to celebrate all that God has done and will continue to do through women who submit to the empowering work of the Holy Spirit upon their lives. For those who might want to limit the roles that women can serve in the church, perhaps another thoughtful reading of the Gospel according to Luke is due.  

Have a wonderful celebration with those who fill your life with love as you embrace all the wonder of what it means for God to dwell among us – our Emmanuel,  

By grace alone,  Faye Reynolds

Used with permission