Journal: Priscilla Papers
Volume: PP 34:4 (Autumn 2020)
Article: Christ-Bearers
Author: Theresa Garbe

PP 34:4 (Autumn 2020) p. 22

Christ-Bearers

Theresa Garbe

Theresa Garbe is Director of Alumni Relations and Development at Milligan University in eastern Tennessee and is associate editor and graphic designer for Priscilla Papers. She holds an MDiv from Emmanuel Christian Seminary.

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” (Luke 1:26–45 NRSV)

Bearing My Own Child

Of all of the roles I have played up to this point in my life, the role of mother is one of my most cherished. I have three children, and I remember very clearly what it was like when I learned I was pregnant with my first child.

Before I continue, let me say I recognize that some of you, for a variety of reasons, are not parents and may not become parents. But I encourage you to stick with me. Regardless of your circumstances, what I hav...