Servant: a word shaped by surrender

‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’

Luke 1.38

This word sits at the centre of one of the most familiar lines in the Advent story, yet its history is far older and sterner than the gentle English suggests. Tracing its path from Latin ‘servus’ to Middle English ‘servant’ reveals a shift from ownership to allegiance, carrying with it centuries of change in how people understood duty, humility and chosen devotion.

The card is paired with snowdrops. These early winter flowers have long been symbols of humility, new beginnings and the steady courage to emerge before the season has softened. They mirror Mary’s response: a readiness offered quietly, without display, and a willingness that leans into what is being asked.

Each word card set begins with an image that captures the theme of the word. The following cards trace its story: a main word card (or two, if extended), a junior version with a paler border, an etymological breakdown showing how the word travelled through time, and a list of sources. Some sets also include cards for related words or translations across other languages. Together they show where each word came from, how it changed, and what it still carries with it.