04 Bearers of Grace
Every year we celebrate biblical stories about women bearing children that bring new life to the whole world. These women are bearers of the grace of God and they give birth to young ones who will continue to be bearers of such grace as they grow up. From Exodus to Luke, this is a powerful part of the story of God’s people.
Q1: Who are the folx in your life who have been bearers of grace for you?
In Luke 1 we hear the announcement of God’s favor for Elizabeth (and Mary following) and the influence their children will have:
With the spirit and power of Elijah [God} will go before [John], to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’
Even before they are born, the Bible shows us again how God’s message is carried by those in the upcoming generation. This is a moment where God calls parents and children together to create opportunities for the world to be healed.
Q2: When have you felt connected with those of a different generation through the work of making the world a better place?
The Motor City Hymns song “Bearers of Grace” reflects on the story of midwives and mothers bravely making space for the emergence of new generations that can be a part of building God’s kin-dom on earth. One line of the song says of the Hebrew midwives,
“They made way for the vigorous birth
of one foretold deliverer
that from this people could emerge
redemption’s promise flowering.”
Listen to the full song with the player on this page.
Q3: Have you ever felt like an agent of God’s grace? How do you think young people can be such agents in ways that adults might not?
This year watch out for the ways you can thank the ones who carried you into this world by becoming a bearer of God’s goodness for the world.
ACTION: Turn some hearts.
Nothing brings beautiful tears like a well-written note to the midwives, mom’s and mothering individuals who have made you life possible. Put a note in the mail to that bearer of grace in your life, and watch for the ways you can call others into grace-filled living in the world!
