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How could Mary have known?

The song… “Mary, did you know?” seems to come up every year about this time, the song… People love the song. It fits a common Christian understanding. The logic goes this way: since Jesus was “God’s son,” since God “sent him into the world,” since “In the beginning was the Word,” and since that “Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1), it must have been in the plan. From the beginning. God knew. Mary knew. Jesus knew. It was all scripted, from the beginning.

“Mary, Did You Know?” I love the music of the song, like everybody else, but I can no longer connect with the words. We need to think carefully about their implications for Christmas.

Whether Mary knew or not, if Mary could have known, then that means the story was already told. The script was already written. The outcome had already been guaranteed – the birth, the miracles, Jesus’s divine nature, the human response. It was all predetermined. The future was already set.

Like a vinyl record (for those who even know what an LP is), the groove represents all the events of the world – our lives and beyond. The music that has been touched by the needle represents the past, our history. The groove which the needle has not yet touched, represents all future actions. We might as well call the actions ahead of the needle “future history” – which is nonsensical, but if they are guaranteed, they are still history: actual events, just not yet realized. In this common view, God already knows what will be, the recording simply has not played far enough. Not yet.

If Mary could have known, what are the implications for the future and for our freedom? What about for our responsibility, for our moral agency (our actual participation)? It means we have none. If God literally knew beforehand that Mary was going to say yes to the angel’s announcement, if God literally knew Judas was going to betray Jesus, if God literally knew Jesus was definitely not going to turn around, when he had a chance to go back home to the safety of Nazareth rather than press on the Jerusalem… then that means there is NO freedom in the story. It was all written. They were all just pawns. And so are we.

If God knows you are going to fall and break your leg tomorrow, is there anything you could do to change that outcome? Anything, anything, at all? If God knows you are going to cheat on your spouse, why even resist the temptation? On the other extreme, if God knows you’re going to make the right, moral, ethical decision in the choice that you are facing for your life and career, why is it so difficult to do so? (Could you actually make the wrong decision?)

Let me say it clearly: Mary did not know. Mary could not have known – because there was nothing yet to know. The future had not been born. There were hundreds of decisions, thousands of discrete actions that had to come together, independently – each one of them radically free – for the Jesus story to be as it was. As it is. We are still making it the story it is!

Do not let this disturb you or discourage you. It does exactly the opposite for me. When something is right – just as the story of Jesus was, and is, so right – the only way to speak of such a thing is to speak of it as if this is the way it had to be, the only way it could have ever been, to speak of it like it was planned… from the beginning! (My marriage to Amy was what God intended. I have no doubt! Our coming to Park Road was God’s will. Yes! Even more so: Jesus, his life, death, resurrection? The only way to talk about it is to say, this must have been planned, from the very beginning!

Far from being disturbing, think about the incredible power and importance this gives to each one of us. If the Jesus story literally depended on every single action of every single person who touched that story, even in a remote way, if every single action was, literally, necessary to bring about The Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ – just think about how important you are!

(There was Mary – and her parents [who were pretty necessary for Mary]. Joseph – and his parents. There was the donkey – and the man who raised the donkey. [And, I guess, the donkey’s parents!] There was the Inn Keeper – and the man from whom he bought the Inn, and whoever it was who originally built the Inn. There were all those sheep. If there hadn’t been any sheep, why would there have been shepherds? There were the stories of Jesus’s birth, and all the people who passed them on to their children until, maybe 40 years later [think of all the times those stories were told in 40 years!], someone we call Luke, finally wrote down “The Christmas Story” – “In those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed…” I could go on, but I hope you get the picture. Thousands of discrete actions. Every. One. Necessary.)

We may have no idea how our seemingly insignificant actions (maybe our seemingly insignificant lives) impact some grand narrative – but if we are radically free, every single movement we make, may be making a difference the world will not fully appreciate for years to come. Wow! That’s hardly disturbing or discouraging.

Rather than “Mary, Did You Know?” I prefer the theology of a new poem by Ilia Delio:

What do the stars say?

The light that meets our eyes after millions of years summons us to look beyond.

The dark that hovers over us is filled with light.

That underneath the appearance of the stable heavens is the bubbling energy of the universe.

We are forming, forming, forming and nothing can stop us.

There is a palpable power of attraction, pulling us toward we-know-not-where.

Love alone is the guide of the universe and the whole universe is in the human heart.

Tend to the heart and the power of love will name itself as God."

Love. The universe is being born over and over. Dying and expanding. In life there is inevitably death. Yet, in Death there is always new life.

Listen to all the beauty of future-openness: ours is not a future already written (just not yet experienced), but an entire universe of “bubbling energy” … “forming, forming, forming and nothing can stop us,” “power… pulling us,” birth “over and over…” “new life” forever!

That’s the theology of the Christmas I want to share, not of a predetermined future (one I just have to hope turns out to be good for me), but a world of infinite possibility, a world filled with lots of Marys who can and do say YES, participating in what God has intended – from the beginning.

The future is not yet. What tomorrow is to be, is partially mine to determine (not just to experience). I want to tell the Christmas story with enough hope and possibility that the future will become (what it was always meant to be)! - Russ

Caption and Artist for the image above:

In the style of an Orthodox icon, the image by Kelly Latimore, “Love, forever being born,” is inspired by Ilia Delio’s poem.

PRBC is hosting a Rise Against Hunger meal packing event this Sunday, December 17, in the Community Center, with the goal of packing 50,000 meals! This event is a wonderful opportunity for us to work together for a very worthwhile cause! It is designed so that people of all ages can participate and there’s a lot of fun and excitement! So, please plan to join us on the 17th! Click the link below to register for the event and sign up to help. Please note the meal packing start time has changed to 6p.

We do kindly ask that you sign up each person, individually, from your family or group (including kiddos) via the registration link below.

PLEASE NOTE: The online registration link will allow you to use the same email address for multiple participants. 

We are looking forward to sharing homemade soup in Helt Hall and enjoying an evening around the fireplace - next Wednesday, December 20, 5:30p - 8p.

Following the meal, Bob Pritchard will lead us in enjoying many of the secular songs of the season, some as group sing-alongs and some as solos from our musicians. We need a little help with this event: preparation, setup, and cleanup. If you are willing to give a little time, please contact the church office (704-523-5717 or info@parkroadbaptist.org).

Do You Hear What I Hear? It’s Silver Bells, Silver Bells ringing to say, “Come All Ye Faithful VSPers on December 21.” Don’t appear On A Midnight Clear but arrive a little before noon, my dears. We’ll eat, enjoy being together, laugh at some silly jokes, maybe win a door prize, and listen to a little cool Yuletide jazz to make us all proclaim Joy To The World. ‘Tis the season!

Please make your reservation no later than December 17 by calling the church office at or sign up in Helt Hall or by emailing info@ParkRoadBaptist.org

If you have not yet made a pledge to support next year’s budget, will you do so today? We want to wrap up our commitments for the coming year as soon as possible. Scan the QR Code to give. Thank you for being found faithful.

Join us next Thursday, December 21 at 6p at the Rhino Market and Deli, South Park for Thirsty Third Thursday! In November the group had such a great time at Rhino Market that they decided to stick with the same location December. The address is 4300 Congress Street, Charlotte, NC 28209. There are other Rhino Markets, so please make sure you have the correct address. The Rhino Market in South Park is directly across from the Village Tavern.

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You can bring donations on Sunday mornings (There is a barrel in Helt Hall.) or drop them off at the church office. Thank you!

Winter Retreat, February 2-4

We are heading to the mountains for a couple days of retreat and renewal. Dan Davis, who led our intergenerational retreat, is the founder and director of “Animate Mentoring – guiding individuals and families so they can navigate life's transitions intentionally with wisdom and courage.” Most of Dan’s work is with men and boys, so we are fortunate to have him join us at beautiful High Pastures Christian Retreat Center Highpastures.org in Burnsville. We’re asking participants to take at least part of the day off on Friday to travel. Make it a day if you’d like, head to the mountains, and do a little exploring before the retreat officially begins with dinner. Sessions will continue through Sunday morning. The cost for the retreat, the lodging, and all meals is $250. Limited scholarships are available. You can express interest in attending by signing up in Helt Hall on Sundays or contacting the church office.

Second Cornhole Night for Men's Work

Join us on Tuesday, January 16^th, from 6:30-8p. We will play "under the lights" in the courtyard. If weather is inclement, we have a backup indoor location. For more information please contact: Kevin Kline by clicking here (kk5thirty1@yahoo.com)

Matt Kinney joined Park Road Baptist in 2005 and has been a deacon for the past 3 years. He has also served in various leadership roles in the church over the past 18 years. Matt is Founder & CEO of a small technology company called Atando Technologies. He is married to Martha and has two kids, Liam (Freshman at Appalachian State) and Clara (Sophomore at Myers Park High School).

Yes, we have lost our minds, but over the years it really has not been Christmas without having you in our home. We’ve been away from this for a few years, so please make our Christmas this year by joining us for food and fellowship. If the weather permits, we’ll spread out to the back yard, with a couple firepits and heaters, but either way, we’re looking forward to an evening of warm fellowship, and some pretty good food! Feel free to Drop In and Drop Out between 6p – 9p. If you are in need of the Dean’s home address, please call the church office or email info@ParkRoadBaptist.org.

Youth Progressive Dinner

We had a wonderful time at our progressive dinner this past Sunday. Megan Oakley and Matt Burner, Lex and Amy Erwin, and Margaret and Corey Robinson did a wonderful job hosting, Ben Heaton chaperoned and kept JD from getting lost in Charlotte. Our students brought lots of Christmas cheer and a gift. Ask the student you know whether they were lucky enough to get the Harrison Ford bell pepper! 

Guatemala

JD is needing to put together an initial interest list for the PRBC Youth Guatemala Mission Trip in August of 2024 (this isn't a commitment yet but that will come soon). If you or your youth are interested in going, please contact JD as soon as possible JD@ParkRoadBaptist.org to get your name on the list.

• December 13 – Church Wide Christmas Banquet - This evening, Instead of Worship Wednesday, we will share in a Christmas banquet with the entire church.  Once the Jazz concert portion of the evening begins, JD will pull the children and youth who would like to play "Reindeer games."
• Traditional Youth Progressive Dinner - If you're willing to host part of our traditional progressive dinner, please let JD know so we get that on the calendar ASAP. 
• December 17 - Rise Against Hunger Event (previously known as Stop Hunger Now). The youth have been asking about resuming this event and the church staff (especially Dan McClintock) have taken that feedback seriously and made it happen. This event will start at 6:30p and replace SNT for this night.
• December 20 - Soup and Caroling. Most youth should be out of school close to this time, so it should be a stress-free blast. Details TBA.
• July 8-12 Unidiversity Camp - It is never too early to sign up. 🙂 

• December 13 - Christmas Banquet will start at 5:30p this evening. Children can eat with the rest of the church (and stay for the program if they would like) but once the Jazz concert starts JD will pull the children and youth who would like to play "Reindeer games."
• December 17 - "Rise Against Hunger" Event (previously known as Stop Hunger Now) begins at 6:30p. This project is for all ages and is a really special program the church has done in the past. 
• December 20- Soup and Caroling – This is another sweet tradition. Details TBA. 
• July 16-19, 2024 – Camp Prism – Any student who will complete third grade this year is invited to sign up for Camp Prism. This week is a wonderful time with our students, and JD would love all our current 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders to be there. Think summer camp but with Russ leading worship. Some members of our kid’s ministry team serving as counselors, and no bad theology to cause you worry. 🙂 

“Want to Talk? Communication Tools for Divided Times”

With so much division across the country, politically and religiously, and with a contentious Presidential election heating up, our Park Road Clergy group (the pastors from 6 churches along Park Road) is offering an opportunity to talk. “JustFaith Ministries” provides classes of study to “advance peace, racial equity, and a sustainable world.” We want to offer a class as another of our Park Road University classes. Are you taking any initiative to deepen your faith, taking responsibility to learn and grow? “Want to Talk?” is available to individuals. You may https://justfaith.org/want-to-talk to register. The cost of the 8-week class is offered on a sliding scale: you may pay $35, $55, or $75, based on your ability. Participants are asked to purchase one book, which is used in the class. The study group, composed of individuals from the Park Road churches, will set the schedule, day/time for weekly meetings. If you have any questions, please ask one of the ministers. Deadline for sign up is January 14, 2024.

On January 3, we will host a Town Hall as the program for “First Wednesday.” (Email by Tuesday, January 2 noon, to make a reservation for dinner the following night: info@ParkRoadBaptist.org. Our Ministry Council has started the process of rejuvenating our Action Teams. What are Action Teams? How is our Ministry Council structured? How can I get involved? What if there’s not an Action Team that matches my passion? We will try to answer all those questions and more. Our goal is to arrive at our January 28 “State of the Church” annual meeting with a revised list of Action Teams – and to give you a chance to sign up. Please make plans now to attend.

Some of you have already purchased Russ’s new book, The Power of the God Who Can’t: God always does everything God can do. However, for those waiting on a getting your copy here, we now have copies in the office. Books are available for $25.

Coming Up at Park Road

Sunday Worship

Facebook Live and In-Person

11a

First Wednesdays

Dinner and Vespers

(Community Center)

5:30p Dinner / 6p Vespers

First and Third Tuesdays

Bible Study and Fellowship

(Community Center - Room C503)

10a

Tuesday and Thursdays

Flexercise

(Community Center)

9a

Park Road Baptist Church 

 3900 Park Road | Charlotte NC | 28209

Tel (704) 523-5717 

Fax (704) 523-8481

info@parkroadbaptist.org 

 www.parkroadbaptist.org