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9 Lumens & Illuminate

Emmanuel... indeed!

Published about 1 month ago • 2 min read

December 2025

Reader.

Merry Christmas

Over the years, I’ve gotten some interesting questions when people learn that I study and teach about women and Scripture.

Why would you do that?

Are you a feminist?

Are you anti-men?

What I think the better question is:

When studying women in Scripture, how do you not lose sight of Jesus?

Because the moment studying women causes me to lose sight of Jesus, I’ve put it above Him. And He has to be above all things.

All of the men and women, Old Testament and New Testament, point beyond themselves. They themselves would probably say, “Why are you studying me? He is the only One worth proclaiming and rejoicing about."

He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son.
14 It is through his Son that we have redemption—that is, our sins have been forgiven. 15 He is the visible image of the invisible God. He is supreme over all creation, 16 because in connection with him were created all things—in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, lordships, rulers or authorities—they have all been created through him and for him. 17 He existed before all things, and he holds everything together.
​Complete Jewish Bible Col 1:13–17.

​Elizabeth was the first person to declare Jesus as Lord:

“But who am I, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:43)

​Mary herself was the first to call Him Savior:

“My soul magnifies Adonai,

and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior…

The Mighty One has done great things for me—

holy is His name.” (Luke 1:46–50)

​

In her Magnificat, Mary quotes ten different Psalms to declare that God is a saving, delivering King. For example, Psalm 18.

Adonai is alive! Blessed is my Rock!
Exalted be the God of my salvation,
48(47) the God who avenges me
and subdues peoples under me.
49(48) He delivers me from my enemies.
You lift me high above my enemies,
you rescue me from violent men.
50(49) “So I give thanks to you, Adonai, among the nations;
I sing praises to your name.
51(50) Great salvation he gives to his king;
he displays grace to his anointed,
to David and his descendants forever.”
​Complete Jewish Bible: An English Version of the Tanakh (Old Testament) and B’rit Hadashah (New Testament). Ps 18:47–51.

If you missed it last week, or want it close at hand, I put together Mary’s Magnificat: Remez Reflection Guide to reflect on her words.

Jesus responded to women in Scripture with compassion. He restored them. He brought them out from beneath the rules and philosophies of men—and the women, in turn, declared who He is to them.

They loved Him because He first loved them.

(1 John 4:19)

It reminds me of Mary of Magdala’s words from The Chosen (Season 1, Episode 2)—not Scripture, but a line that captures the truth beautifully:

“I was one way, and now I am completely different. And the thing that happened in between was Him.”

I recently told a friend that when someone says “Merry Christmas,” we could respond, “Emmanuel”—God with us.

Like at Easter, when someone says, “He is risen!” and the reply is, “He is risen indeed!”

Perhaps this week, when we hear, “Merry Christmas,” we could reply, “Emmanuel indeed.”​
​

He is here with us.

P.S. If you’re sitting down to read this and your calendar happens to be nearby, here are the upcoming gatherings for the new year—just in case you want to make a note.

​

Linda Hannigan

BTh, PCC, CPLC

9 Lumens & Illuminate

​

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9 Lumens & Illuminate

I tell the stories of women and Scripture. I hold space for the kind of thinking that changes perspective and direction. I work where understanding and change overlap.

I’m a coach and educator exploring faith, Scripture, and personal development. Through two newsletters (9 Lumens & Illuminate), I tell the stories of women and Scripture and hold space for the kind of thinking that leads to meaningful change for women, pastors, and leaders.

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