The Other Side(s) of the Incarnation

Rick Wright4th Sunday of Advent (B)

December 21 2014

Henry Ossawa Tanner

• 1859-1937• Pittsburgh• France• Greatest African-American

artist• I was afraid and made to

feel that I was not wanted.

Henry Ossawa Tanner

Luke 1

• The angel Gabriel is sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth to a virgin promised to a man whose name is Joseph of the family tree of David. And the name of the virgin is Mary. And Gabriel comes to her and says, “Greetings favored one! The Lord is with you!” But she is troubled by what he says and wonders what kind of greeting this is.

Mary

• Incarnation = God-becomes-human• Divinity receives humanity• Look at Christmas from human point of view• Humanity receives divinity

Luke 1

• Introduction• Greeting• (Silence)• Announcement• (How?)• Explanation + Sign• (Acceptance)• Departure

Her story is our story = Grace

• What God wants to do in / through / with each of us

• Grace– “Grace! One who has experienced grace!”– Why does God choose Mary?– Later we learn

Her story is our story = Response

• Response– “here I am the servant(?!?) of the Lord”– Greek doule -> slave (belong to someone)– Choice? Desire?– Plan of God– Mary does say “yes”– Does not understand– Strange blessing!?!

Her story is our story

• God chooses us!• Special purpose (= ???)• Demonstrate kingdom of heaven• Christ forms in us -> share in life of God