The beginning of story. This is where it starts. Where light meets dark, day becomes night, and the glory of creation is manifested. A few words start us off and lead us through the most beautiful story ever told. Nothing compares with this story and no other story told will match the richness of this one.
It begins with…
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Genesis 1:1-2
Or we read a more modern take on the same words, but all point to the creation.
1-2 First this: God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don’t see. Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God’s Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss. Genesis 1:1-2 Message
This is the beginning. The world shines forth in splendor because God chose to bless us with His creation.
It is the beginning of you and I. All the creatures of the sea and the sky were not enough. The light fancied meeting the dark, but what events would take place throughout the day? Would the creatures be enough to tell the story? God knew it was not enough. So He created man.
7 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7
The story was not complete without woman. So God created woman.
22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. Genesis 2:22
The beginning of the story was written and the storyline evolved as man and woman intertwined and became one. God watched over all and knew it was good.
All well-told stories add layer upon layer of characters, family tensions, fear, joy, challenges and dramatic interludes. God chose to add the first layer of drama when He gave man and woman free will. The right to make choices can either be our downfall or our saving grace. Adam and Eve chose the first and the storyline takes a drastic turn.
Would there be a need for grace if God did not introduce free will into our lives? Would this gift of redemption be part of our vocabulary, if sin was not present in our lives?
[Tweet “The beginning of story is the the story of grace and its blessing to the world. #grace #story”]
The beginning of story starts with creation and the storyline teaches us the story of grace. Without it, we are nothing and our Savior, Jesus Christ would not have died on the cross. The beginning of story is the story of grace and its blessing to the world.
Join me as we continue to look at story this Advent season. The beginnings, endings and everything in between. God’s gift of grace for us all and how He lovingly chooses each of us to be part of His story.
Blessings,
Mary
Catch up on all the Advent posts by clicking on the button below.
Blessed to be linking with:
I love Genesis and I love the Nativity, but I’ve never thought of linking them up like this. Thank you.
David
[couple of typos: you label Gen 2:7 as 1:7 and 2:22 as 1:22]
Thank you for stopping by today! I also appreciate you letting me know about my typos. I went into fix them immediately. Blessings to you!
Ah yes! It all comes back to God’s beautiful and mysterious grace, Mary! Thanks for taking us on this journey as we travel through the season of Advent. Hugs to you!
I love this time of year and even as crazy as my life is right now, I am enjoying digging deeper to understand what Advent is all about. This is my way of soaking in the season. Love having you here! Hugs to you too!
The perfect beginning to HIStory, Mary!
I love how you wrote HIStory. Certainly puts the focus on God which is where I want it to be. Love having you here, friend!
“In the beginning was God…..” In order to fully understand the story of Jesus — who He is, why He came, we must start at the beginning. This is going to be a beautiful Advent series my friend. Hugs!
Awww thank you! How fun to see you here today. Hope you are well and that things are moving along in your part of the world. Hugs and I miss you!
I like this part, “The right to make choices can either be our downfall or our saving grace.”
I am always at awe in knowing that even if we choose the things that cause our downfall, He is still loves. He redeems us through Jesus and never gives up on us.
I wish you all the joys of the season Mary!
Amen! God is a redeemer of the broken of which I am one. There is something about the beauty of grace that speaks deeply to me and we find it throughout God’s word. Thank you for stopping by! May you be blessed in this season too!
It’s good to sometimes look back to where it started. 🙂
Amen! Starting at the beginning provides the backdrop we need to better understand the birth of Jesus. Blessed to have you here today.
I love that you’re starting at the beginning for Advent. Love how the story started at the very beginning and how God’s plans are so immensely vast.
So glad to have you here, Kathryn. There is so much to say about story and God’s story. I hope I do it justice considering I am writing several times a week. Hope your Advent is off to a good start.
Mary,
The Christmas story does not start with the birth of Jesus…there is so much rich history that needs to be told and digested in order to truly appreciate this miracle that was foretold. Looking forward to following along with you in the tale of grace…beautiful!
Blessings sweet friend and Happy Advent,
Bev
I am amazed how much rich history is present in God’s word. I will only be touching the surface of all the ways the story weaves and connects. Blessed to have you along for this journey. Hugs!
Oh how I love love love this post! It also reminds me of these words from John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” And oh so much THIS: “A few words start us off and lead us through the most beautiful story ever told. Nothing compares with this story and no other story told will match the richness of this one.” Kindred spirits because I just wrote a guest post for next Monday at Literacy Musing Mondays and that the Christmas story is the story that I used for my post! 🙂
I love how we seem to connect often with the theme of our posts. It blesses me to know that God is teaching us similarly. Praying you are hanging in there with everything and that this time of Advent will be a chance for your heart to heal from grief.
Mary, what a beautiful post. When we understand our story, and how God has interwoven grace into it, we can see our stories with more clarity.
I’ve not read the Message’s version of Genesis, but this part of what you quoted caught me: “First this: God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don’t see.”. It’s amazing to ponder that God created all of it. And He meant it for good.
And though Adam and Eve made choices that caused their stories to take a drastic turn, God still made a way for them. I’m truly thankful for that. He does the same for us still—making a way for us, walking with us, opening up a passage for us to know Him and be with Him always. You’ve got me pondering. Thanks, Mary!
I’m loving this series, my friend! The story of grace is one I’m forever changed by. This has been the greatest gift of my life. Beautiful words, Mary. I can’t wait to hang out Friday! I hope you are still available.
Thank you Candace! Knowing you are along on this journey is such a blessing. Grace is perfect every time even when our imperfections seem to be bigger. Yes, we can get together Friday! Can’t wait!
“The beginning of story is the story of grace and its blessing to the world.” I love this truth you bring forth, Mary. It’s so amazing we may be included in God’s story of grace. I am looking forward to more of your posts about this during this Advent season.
I love seeing you here, Trudy! Your encouragement is such a blessing to me. I pray you find these words and this season to be a blessing to you.
Beautiful, Mary. <3
Thank you Beth! So glad you stopped by! Hugs!
This will be good. I’m with you.
Thank you, Susan! I hope your Thanksgiving was lovely!
This is the most amazing thing ever: “God’s gift of grace for us all and how He lovingly chooses each of us to be part of His story.” To be included by Divine design into His story of grace and redemption for all is a wonder which the Advent season brings into sharp focus. Thank you for highlighting this awesome truth, Mary. May you be awed anew in the process, just as we are as we read about it and ponder its deep implications for our lives. Blessings. Xx
I have already been awed in the process of writing just several posts. God is so willing to teach us through our words and I pray that the words then reach others. Hearing your sweet encouragement affirms for me that God’s words touched you and hopefully others. May we look deep and draw ourselves into the story of God and each of us this Advent season. Hugs!
Oh stories always captivate me Mary. They’re full of twists and turns, protagonists and antagonists, hills and valleys. I loved how you told of the story of God’s creation. So beautifully written. I’m visiting via #TestimonyTuesday. Have a wonderful day.
Thank you for stopping by, Crystal! I loved doing across your blog today and I’m blessed that you returned the favor by visiting me. I also love story and am excited for how all of this is going to evolve. Blessings!
“The beginning of story starts with creation and the storyline teaches us the story of grace. Without it, we are nothing and our Savior, Jesus Christ would not have died on the cross. The beginning of story is the story of grace and its blessing to the world.”
The whole post just speaks to my heart but especially this. Thank you for writing…
Thank you for being here, Shelby! God laid these words on my heart but also the whole idea of writing about story. It is s powerful to know that we each have a story that was carefully chosen for us by God just as God ordained the beginning of time to begin His story. Blessings to you and I hope you stop back.