After two long years, Bellevue’s Singing Christmas Tree presentation returns to inspire and encourage all who attend. As the cast and crew reflected on the making of this biblical account come to life, the truth of God’s constant faithfulness shines as the focal point.
We often breeze over certain parts of Scripture and take for granted the journey each person, like Mary, navigated in walking faithfully with God. Katie Bertrand, who plays teen and young adult Mary in this year’s presentation, shared an observation about Mary’s journey as the mother of Jesus.
“It wasn’t a quick transition for Mary from finding out she was carrying the Savior of the world to giving birth. There was an in-between as she processed God’s calling on her life to step into faith.”
The life of a believer is much like this. There is an in-between. God’s divine plan is made known to us, and in our flesh, we experience fear. The in-between is that place of uncertainty and vulnerability as we assess our own abilities to accomplish the task before us in our flesh and in our own strength. But by the Spirit that dwells within us because of Immanuel, God with us, we walk firmly in faith, knowing that we accomplish His will because of who He is and the strength He supplies. We place our hope in the God who has proven Himself good and worthy of praise over and over again.
“Ordinary people were used in extraordinary ways. We also can be used in extraordinary ways as long as we submit to the Lord,” Katie said.
Mary was an ordinary young woman living a normal life. In her humanity, she walked through the in-between; she felt fear and doubt.
“Amidst a difficult time,” Katie observed. “Mary stood in firm faith. She experienced serious emotions, yet she did not allow those to drive her. She allowed her faith to drive her.”
Beyond the in-between, Mary said ‘yes’ to God and chose to walk according to faith rather than fear. The same is true when we say ‘yes’ to God. He can use us to do a mighty work in the world for His divine glory and plan.
The story of the Nativity has lasted for thousands of years, and the relatable challenge facing mankind of fear versus faith has as well. Just as Mary was called by God to complete a specific task, so are we. Every believer faces the metaphorical fork in the road of fear and faith; when we acknowledge the calling on our lives to submit to the one true King, we must decide to lay down our own will for our lives and say yes to God.
Even on a larger scale, we are all in the in-between, waiting on Christ’s return. As we anticipate that glorious hour, may we walk by faith according to the Spirit who is within us, strengthening us each day and in every season, “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace–However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you–” (Romans 8:6, 9).
We hope you’ll join us as we remember why we celebrate the season. Singing Christmas Tree presentations take place on December 8, 10, 11, and 12. Get your tickets now to witness A Tradition–Reimagined.