Life is a Journey

As we follow the Advent journey to Bethlehem, we realize that it is told through the lives of ordinary people just like us. Mary, a young girl, received the promise of a baby who would become a great King. She was even given the name she was to give him — Jesus. Mary says, "Yes," a holy response to an unbelievable task.

I can only imagine that Mary took her questions and unsettledness to God in prayer. She must have been connected to God in an intimate way to have written the song found in Luke 1:46-55. She not only chose to go along with God's plan, she wrapped it in prayer, hope, and ultimately joy. Mary teaches us to listen closely to a word from God and then grow to embrace it in the crucible of prayer and thanksgiving.

Can you imagine being at the dining room table when Mary — quietly and humbly tells Joseph that she is expecting? Many of you have received that kind of "out of the blue" announcement, "I am going to have a baby." There are many circumstances where that message is difficult news, and this is one of them. An angel comes to Joseph and says, "Have no fear!" Why fear? Why not anger or a sense of betrayal or hurt? These were the same words that Elizabeth's husband, Zechariah, heard from Gabriel and that Mary heard from that same angel. "Do not be afraid," says God's holy messenger.

Do you long to be free of fear? How can you lean on God in your darkest moments? Joseph doubted, too, but that doubt led him to a deeper faith. He couldn't possibly know how this would play out, but he chose to trust. It is not said that Joseph was "full of grace," but a man who was willing to humble himself and serve selflessly for another is a model of grace.

There are others in this story: Mary's Aunt Elizabeth (whom we read about), Mary's parents (whom we don't read about), the innkeeper, the lowing cattle, the little drummer boy, the shepherds and those who gathered to sing in the angelic choir. I invite you to find yourself in the story.

Imagine what it would have been like to be allowed to witness a part of this incredible journey. As you picture the animals eating shoulder to shoulder at the manger, the very place where Jesus would soon lie, imagine being fed by the manger as well. We are nourished by an abundance of delicious food during the holiday time. But there is only one kind of food that nourishes our soul. Allow yourself during this Advent season, as you journey to Bethlehem, to hunger for more than what the season can provide.

May this season of hope bring you "good news of great joy."

Pastor Pam

First United Methodist’s pastor, Pamela Rossmiller, graduated from Dubuque Theological Seminary on May 9, 2009. While attending school she served as pastor at Broadway United Methodist Church since September of 2007. Pastor Pam was on staff for eight years at Belvidere United Methodist, coordinating small groups and directing the lay ministry. Her husband Vann sells, services and installs industrial boilers, working from his shop in Belvidere. Their daughter, Lindsay, graduated from Wisconsin Eau Claire in 2009 with a degree in music therapy. Garth, their youngest, graduated in 2009 after completing a program in diesel power generation from Ohio Technical College in Cleveland. The Rossmillers have entered with excitement and joy into what God has planned for the next leg of their journey.