You Are a Blessing
Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, preaching
Mary is described as "blessed among women" (Luke 1:28). She is neither wealthy nor powerful, and yet she is chosen to bear God's child. Her story begins with blessedness, and so does ours, for the prophet Isaiah declares that we are claimed by a God who calls our name. We are a blessing because we belong to God. When blessedness is our beginning, we begin to see the world — and others — through the eyes of a God who says: "You are precious in my sight" (Isaiah 43:4).
The creative team at Sanctified Arts decided to begin the series with blessedness, for this is Mary's beginning, and it is ours as well. I want to encourage you to take in the radical nature of this statement, for far too many are told — implicitly and explicitly — that they/we are a burden instead of a blessing. It's a message that can easily be muted, trivialized, or redacted. Hustle culture, scarcity thinking, capitalism, racism, patriarchy, etc., are all forces that make us believe we are not a blessing. When we stop believing that we are a blessing to God, then we may stop believing this about others. Conversely, when were rooted in our blessedness, we can treat every created being as a blessing as well. Additionally, you will quickly notice that much of the art, commentary, and theme branding in this series are inspired by quilting. Information on the quilt squares can be found below.
Based on Luke 1:26-38
Music this week:
Prepare the Way of the Lord
Come, O Long Expected Jesus
What if Love Were My Gift This Christmas?
Christians All Your Lord is Coming
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
