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December 19, 2021

God with a Body

Hannah E. Shanks   |   Read Hebrews 10:5-10

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Lectionary Week
December 13–19, 2021
Scripture Overview

As Christians we understand that our faith is rooted in the ongoing story of God’s faithfulness to God’s people. Micah celebrates this story, prophesying that the true king of Israel will one day come from the small village of Bethlehem, Jesus’ birthplace. Luke features women prominently throughout his Gospel. The two readings from Luke this week highlight the prophetic insights of Elizabeth and Mary. Mary visits Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John, God’s messenger. After Elizabeth identifies Mary as the mother of the Lord, Mary breaks into song, understanding that her story is tied to the fulfillment of God’s promises going back to Abraham. Little does she know that her son will one day offer his body as a sacrifice for all, as Hebrews tells us.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Micah 5:2-5a. What small beginnings have yielded great results in your life?
Read Psalm 80:1-7. What is your song of praise to God today? How will you share it?
Read Hebrews 10:5-10. How does your body help you to experience God?
Read Luke 1:39-55. How has God spoken to you through a joyous meeting with another person?

Respond by posting a prayer .

Hebrews 10:5-10

5 Therefore, when he comes into the world he says, You didn’t want a sacrifice or an offering, but you prepared a body for me; 6 you weren’t pleased with entirely burned offerings or a sin offering. 7 So then I said, “Look, I’ve come to do your will, God. This has been written about me in the scroll.” 8 He says above, You didn’t wantand you weren’t pleased with a sacrifice or an offeringor with entirely burned offerings or a purification offering, which are offered because the Law requires them. 9 Then he said, Look, I’ve come to do your will. He puts an end to the first to establish the second. 10 We have been made holy by God’s will through the offering of Jesus Christ’s body once for all.

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

Bodies are important to God because they are sites of healing, transformation, touch, and comfort. Nobody—no body—is disqualified from the work of God-bearing.

As Mary bore Jesus into the world, so must we. For as this scripture in Hebrews reminds us, God’s plan has always been a body. Now, as...

God, thank you for my body. Help me to honor the wisdom in my body. Thank you for the chance to be a God-bearer. Amen.


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