On The Incarnation & Partnering
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO Nativity. 2001 by Joseph Mulamba-Mandangi, Nativity, 2001.
As we approach Christmas Eve, we are reminded of how God used us flawed, yet willing humans to carry out his plan to redeem humanity by presenting the world with a baby: Jesus. As he grew into childhood, then the teen years, and finally into adulthood, he lived among us and experienced life, in its joys and sorrows, just as we do, yet without sin.
This reminds us today that we are called to be in and among, to be present, with one another in the local community.
We celebrate all of our school partners, church partners, and social service partners who work by our side in bringing hope to families in the Portland area through the means of mentoring. Together, we are examples of Jesus in every corner of this city each week. (Visit our partners page).
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it...”
“The Self-revealing of the Word is in every dimension - above, in creation; below, in the Incarnation; in the depth, in Hades; in the breadth, throughout the world. All things have been filled with the knowledge of God.”
“The nativity mystery ‘conceived from the Holy Spirit and born from the Virgin Mary’, means, that God became human, truly human out of his own grace. The miracle of the existence of Jesus, his ‘climbing down of God’ is: Holy Spirit and Virgin Mary! Here is a human being, the Virgin Mary, and as he comes from God, Jesus comes also from this human being. Born of the Virgin Mary means a human origin for God. Jesus Christ is not only truly God, he is human like every one of us. He is human without limitation. He is not only similar to us, he is like us.”
Consider supporting us this year as we inspire growth, resilience, and hope. And pray that our open lines of communication and partnership with services (educational, social, faith-based) will continue and grow as we build upon what we are already doing to serve more children.
Do you represent or know of a good potential partnering organization? We’d love to chat with you!
How has reflecting on the incarnation impacted you this season?
