Advent: 5 Scandalized Women

 

Big Idea: The women noted in the genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew reveal that anyone can find light in this very dark world.

5 Women in Jesus' Ancestry

Today there is heightened awareness of mistreated women and cultural diversity. The Bible reveals four scandalous women who are surprisingly ancestors of Jesus.

The Bible does not shy away from scandal and victimized women. It reveals how we can find light in a dark world.

The 5 Scandalized Women

The headlines for each of these women could sound like a Jerry Spring episode or a hot Harlequin romance novel.


· Tamar: How I blackmailed my father-in-law to have his baby

· Rahab: The rescued red-light war bride

· Ruth: The refugee widow finds love in the wheat fields

· Bathsheba: Commander takes soldier’s wife, then has husband killed

· Mary: Unwed pious teen gives birth in a barn

Reflecting on Women at Advent

Advent is celebrated in churches worldwide for the 4 weeks before Christmas. It means “the coming” and is designed as time to reflect about Christmas.

We will follow a common Advent patterned theme series:

· Tamar: Hope when no hope is in sight

· Rahab: Peace when war and desolation comes

· Ruth: Joy when all is lost

· Bathsheba: Love out of heartbreak

· Mary: Light in a dark and dirty place


No matter what your hardship or dilemma, take heart in how these 5 women mattered. They mattered to God and they made an impact on the world.

Listen to a few words on this subject of God seeing those who are hurting in Mary’s spontaneous poem of honor to God.

He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.
He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands.
He has… remembered to be merciful. Luke 1: 50, 53,54b

I need a bit of mercy today. How about you?

The four Sundays before Christmas are the official days for Advent, but I will post as usual on Wednesdays. If you would like to set up an Advent wreath, read this blogpost.

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Reflect:

1. What do you want to ask of or say to God? Tell Him. You might think He won’t be happy to hear what you have to say, but He’s not fragile. He can handle it. He wants to open dialogue with you.