Week #1 " The Advent of God through Mary"

By Terry Mattson

Week #1 " The Advent of God through Mary"

Book: The Advent of God through Mary

Lesson #1 Based upon Chapter #1 "Mary's Times" 

Devotionals: Monday - Wednesday 

Monday:Story 1—The Whirlwind

 Tuesday: My Thoughts 1—Fear on the Edge of Hope

Wednesday: My Thoughts 1—Fear on the Edge of Hope

 Our Bible Study is on Thursdays:I suggested we simply continue our daily devotional reading and Pastor Den is could easily cover for next week: Chapter 1, Thursday-Sunday & Chapter 2, Monday-Wednesday or any portion thereof.

1st Sunday of Advent: Theme of "Hope" 


Intro: Page #8 "The Mother of God"

Para #1 .. re: Masculine & Feminine mystique. 

Q: In light of today's trans-gender & gender neutral world view..."Did I ever mis-read the times?"

Given our Prime Time heritage, we explored the feminine and masculine mystique. How do we define them at their best?


Good discussion, application being "Feminine generally a more intuitive, responsive and nurturing wisdom and practice vs masculine typically focused on problem solving, hunter-gatherer, overcoming obstacles.


Had para #2 read and applied to Trinity of God as diverse personalities, gifting so significantly filled with Love as to be One in essential nature.


Reviewed: How our relationships in marriage, with God and one another require a "feminine" mystery if the relationship is to prosper, whatever it is".


Para #3 Role of Mary as iconic representative of each/all of us as the body of Christ... our relationship to Jesus (as the bride of Christ) is essentially a feminine one of responsive love.


Lesson: Mary's Times:


1. Had Psalm 13 read

2. Reviewed an ancient map of Mid-East with Israel at the crossroads of every empire asserting its control.. God setting Israel up in a vulnerable 




Israel Living in Vulnerable Space










If they turned to Egypt, Assyria or Babylon for protection (self initiated, power centric resolution) they inevitably fell and went into exile.


If the instead trusted YHWH then their focus was in pleasing God and they prospered. 


Noted: this more than any specific thing defined righteousness or evil; a feminine response to God as Lover.


Played the following video:  LIBA1a Whirlwinds Devotional


1st 1/2 - stoped & talked about their memories of Christmas.. joyful, painful, empty, peaceful?


Then played the 2nd 1/2 which is Story #1 with video reading .. 


Q: How is Mary's world like our own?

Q: How is it quite different?


Day #2 My Thoughts 1—Fear on the Edge of Hope

Cuban Missile Crises


Q: Where were you? What was your own sense of the moment? Reviewed how we've never really left "the fear" of that moment...


Day#3 "Welcome to Our World" based on Joseph's genealogy as given in Matthew 1.


 Reviewed how in Joseph's familial heritage a # of women are included among them: Tamar, Rahsb, Bathsheba... significance?


Concluded with Gods salvation is discovered in exile, as we come and are responsive.


Reminded us: it was in Israel's weakness that salvation comes; that Israel is the primary or literal meaning of Isaiah 53... (Had Lamentations 5 read) and Jesus ((as Messiah) is the spiritual meaning of the text.


Last thoughts & emphasis: Our great need is to allow God to have 1st place in our hearts, allowing God to direct us to respond to perceived injustices & suffering as Christ did..  in an open, honest dialogue and not as an opportunity to exact punishment or demand our rights, except as an advocates for another.


Read my two short prayers as part of my daily devotions of "Welcome to our World".. back in 2019 & 2021.. 1st: As the slow, inconsistent (initially) fall into addictive enveloped, leading to the deep pain I created for everyone (wife, family, Church, community) in the loss of my ministry credentials,


1st: 12/17/19 would likely have been well into intermittent sin.. "Thankyou Lord. Missing Aaron! (As in Rev. Aaron Knapp, friend and mentor).


2nd: 11/30/21 - 15 days into faithful recovery..


Thank you Lord for the renewal of my life amidst so much pain. It is Your way-pain creating new possibilities. Thank you!


Final thoughts: We don't know what's coming, but whatever it is, we  are each created for times like these. 



Follow up YouTube Devotional:LIBA1b From Whirlwinds Jesus Emerges

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