I learned something new today, thanks to Wikipedia: Mary’s song in the book of Luke makes strong allusions to Hannah’s song in 1 Samuel 2:1-10, and if you have some time, go back to the first book of Sam and give it a read, then follow along with Mary in Luke 1:46-56. The parallels areContinueContinue reading “Advent Day Twelve: Mary’s Song and My Song”
Author Archives: Sarah M. Wells
Advent Day Eleven: Wait, what?
There’s a moment after you say, “Yes, Lord, let it be as you have promised,” when doubt floods in. Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea. Maybe this path that looked so blessed while Gabriel was hanging out looks dark and lonely now that the bright winged angel isn’t nearby. You are small. You areContinueContinue reading “Advent Day Eleven: Wait, what?”
Advent Day Ten: God With Us
It’s true, I tell you, it’s true. Grant me this moment of ecstasy, this moment removed from the grief and the pain and the loss that seems to overshadow this season of hope. God is with us; I’ve witnessed it sprawled on the floor after our multiple miscarriages, in the NICU after Elvis was born,ContinueContinue reading “Advent Day Ten: God With Us”
Advent Day Nine: Divorce Her Quietly
“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace,ContinueContinue reading “Advent Day Nine: Divorce Her Quietly”
Advent Day Eight: Mary Hears from Gabriel
“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord isContinueContinue reading “Advent Day Eight: Mary Hears from Gabriel”
Advent Day Seven: Questioning Angels
“Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.'”The angel said to him, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. AndContinueContinue reading “Advent Day Seven: Questioning Angels”
Advent Day Six: Delivering a Message of Hope
“Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,ContinueContinue reading “Advent Day Six: Delivering a Message of Hope”
Advent Day Five: But They Were Childless
“In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because ElizabethContinueContinue reading “Advent Day Five: But They Were Childless”
Advent Day Four: It’s Not Fair!
“‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be savedand JerusalemContinueContinue reading “Advent Day Four: It’s Not Fair!”
Advent Day Three: His Resting Place
“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.”HeContinueContinue reading “Advent Day Three: His Resting Place”
Sarah Marie Wells 