December 5
Luke 1:26-38
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”
29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”
38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
God’s Love Made Flesh
by Rebecca Kennedy
Luke’s account of Mary learning that she was to have a child is utter disbelief. Angel appears. Angel shares she is to have a child out of wedlock, although she is a virgin. Angel says, “He shall be named Jesus, and he will be the Son of the Most High.” Angel departs but not before saying, “And your elderly cousin Elizabeth is also having a baby.” Can you imagine how she must have felt by the shock of this news? She was about to embark on a journey to the unfamiliar, surrounded by hay and animals, shepherds and strangers, and a few wisemen. Numb. Empty. Lost.
The Advent season ushers in a spirit of anticipation. In the midst of traveling through the trials and tribulations of this earthly journey, we are given a glimpse of light and joy and hope—the coming of the Christ child. I want to believe that Mary felt that same sense of light and joy and hope when Jesus finally arrived. She experienced all the “firsts.” Jesus’ first smile, first steps, first scraped knee, first heartbreak, first reading in the Temple. Perhaps the numbness, emptiness and helplessness diminished once she saw the face of her beloved child. Maybe it didn’t happen all at once, but over time. God’s love made flesh.
Each summer I watch new students and their families attend Baylor Orientation to learn what is in store over the next years to graduation. I see the look in their eyes as they attempt to take in all the information coming at them. Can you imagine how they feel after a couple of days? They are about to embark on a journey of the unfamiliar, surrounded by strangers and study groups, class expectations and testing pressure, demanding schedules and new freedoms. And students can easily be overwhelmed by all the changes. Numb. Empty. Lost.
August ushers in a spirit of anticipation to the entire Baylor family. Students arrive to a flurry of activity as they experience all the “firsts” of being a Baylor Bear. First roommate, first class, first campus event, first test, first love interest, first running of the Baylor Line. My work, hope and prayer are that students will find their place among our Baylor community. As they search for “their people,” I desire that they feel a sense of belonging, feel welcomed, feel needed and wanted. Once they make a few friends, connect with professors, find helpful resources and get involved with campus activities, perhaps the numbness, emptiness and helplessness will diminish. Maybe not all at once, but over time. God’s love made flesh.
About the Author
Rebecca Kennedy
Rebecca Kennedy, Assistant Dean for Spiritual Life & Missions, has been on staff at Baylor University since 1997, working exclusively in student affairs. During her 27-year career in higher education, she has helped students discover their calling by creating opportunities for them to use their gifts and talents to serve others around the globe. In her current role, she oversees the local and global mission programs that create space for students to be transformed by the integration of faith, learning and service. She is passionate about helping students learn how to live missionally in a world that needs mindful, ethical, competent Christian leaders who will take on and solve systemic issues that keep people from living a healthy, productive life.
She earned her master’s degree in church music with a concentration in conducting from Southern Seminary, and her bachelor of music from Samford University with a concentration in church music. She has also graduated from Baylor University with a Master of Business Administration degree.