When in seminary we learned Greek. Not modern Greek, but ancient Greek so that we can read the New Testament in the original language. One of my favorite words that I learned was theotokos.

It is pronounced just like it looks and it means "God bearer."

This is the word that is used to talk about Mary (the mother of Jesus, not the other ones) and who she is. She is literally the one who bore God into the world.

I think about this word at this time of year for obvious reasons.

But I also think about it because it is who we are as disciples and as communities of Jesus.

As the Church, as people who witness to what God has done in Jesus, you and I and our congregations are the ones who are now bearing God into the world. This is our calling: to bear God.

Of course, this is figurative. Even still, all that we do and say in the world bears witness to our carrying God into the world with us.

Please, God is going to come into the world whether we choose to be theotokos or not. But we get the chance to be part of this God-bearing.

So, as we continue in this Christmas season, may you be blessed theotokos for the sake of the world.

Peace this week,

Bishop Barbins