The Messenger
December 9, 2013 Volume XXIII, No. 12 Nationalchurch.org
The Journey to Bethlehem From Burden to Blessing Seen through the Eyes of Mary
Christmas Eve Services Metropolitan and Wesley Monday, December 24 5pm - Family Christmas Eve Service with Live Nativity 7pm - Candlelight Communion Service at Wesley Campus 7:30pm - Candlelight Communion Service 10:30pm - Musical Prelude 11pm - Candlelight Worship
Service of Lessons and Carols Sunday, December 29 9 a.m. & 11:15 a.m. Sanctuary
We continue to celebrate the story of Jesus’s birth through the reading of short Bible stories and singing of beloved carols.
January Sermon Series
Poetry, Wisdom & Politics
This Advent we are experiencing the journey through the eyes of Mary of Nazareth. She was a young girl who lived a simple life and certainly didn’t expect the news she received from a visiting angel. Mary is the one character in the Gospels who is part of the entire story of Jesus: from his conception, to his birth, through his childhood, through his ministry, to the cross, and then to experiencing the power of Pentecost. Mary accepts God’s frightening invitation, takes God’s Word into her very being and then births it into the world, transforming all of history. Join us throughout this Advent, as we learn from the wisdom of this remarkable young woman how to give birth to God’s word in our own lives.
The First Advent and the Unexpected Path: Mary’s Journey
This summer when I began working on the Chancel Drama with music by Dayspring, I read lots and lots of books and articles (a good reason to support my Amazon addiction) to develop a focus. Everything I found was leading me to the story of Mary; who she was, where she lived, what her life was like. As I began to spend time in reflection, I kept hearing the voice of Mary, speaking in her own words, and sharing the story that began it all. How powerful would it be to hear the traditional scripture stories through the voice of Mary and then, to listen in a more contemporary way, to how she felt? To sympathize with her fear and confusion and also reflect back on ourselves and to how we might have reacted. Would we be like Mary, open to the possibility, trusting the words of Gabriel, willing to serve our God? Or, would we be like Joseph -- at first angry, upset, accusatory, but then understanding and supportive of his young bride? Would we be like Elizabeth, full of joy and possibility, and embracing Mary and her news? Or, would we be like the townsfolk, uneasy and judgmental? I spent weeks living this story, reading many variations, but few with significant historical and biblical references. And, that’s when it got exciting, when I was able to worry less about facts and more about the mystical and magical story that unfolds. I found a wonderful resource, “The Song of Mary,” written by John McNeil and available through Dramatrix, a free online resource. As I continued to imagine how the drama would unfold, I kept also hearing the voice of Joseph, his need to respond to Mary, his initial hurt and disbelief, and his eventual loving and caring acceptance. As I was crafting the script, I met several times with Casey Elliott, our creative and imaginative director of the 9:00 am Dayspring Choir. What a gift to share my ideas and to refine and redraft as she found just the right music selections for Dayspring, the Youth Choir and soloists. I also reached out to the incredibly talented Bill Anderson, who moonlights as an attorney but who is really a songwriter extraordinaire. I was hoping for an original song, if possible, and he provided beyond my expectations. I invite you to join us at worship, on Sunday, December 15 at 9:00 am, when we present our musical drama, Mary’s Journey: From Burden to Blessing. I am thankful for the patience of Dayspring and their willingness to bring this story to life, through scripture, monologue, music and prayer. We are all on “unexpected paths” in our lives and Advent is the perfect time to slow down, listen for the word of God and open our hearts to the magic.
Patrisha House