A Season of Wonder

MaryLuke 1:26-38

Advent Candle

As we light the first candle, we are called to step outside of time for these weeks, opening our hearts to the miracle of Christ's comings and to his blueprint for our lives. People: Lord, help us see your plans as more wonder-full than ours.

Advent Candle

Leader:What are your plans for Christmas? is a question we'll all be

asked many times this season. These plans mean shopping, entertaining, baking and eating,

playing, decorating, giving, worshipping, traveling, and communicating with those we care about.

What an amazing adventure we could have if we consulted God in setting our daily agendas!

Response:

Lord, help us listen for your voice as we map out our days.

Advent Candle

Leader:Mary was astonished when the angel interrupted her life with the startling announcement that she would be the mother of Jesus. Yet she regrouped and fully opened her heart and life to a radical change of plans. Lord, give us the courage to lay down our plans and planners and embrace your unique design for these days and for our lives. Advent Candle: Lord, help us affirm with Mary, "Let it be with me just as you say."

A Season of Wonder

MaryLuke 1:26-38

26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.

32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

God has plans for Ordinary People

• Mary Lived in a small town• Mary had a very common name• Mary was very ordinary in many ways

God has plans for Ordinary PeopleLuke 1:26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,

John 1:46

“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.

God’s Plans take precedence over our plans

• Mary was a young woman in the process of planning her wedding.

• Mary was going about her daily routine when there was a knock at the door

God’s Plans are accompanied by a sense of his presence

Luke 1:2828 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

• God has chosen you

• God is present with you

God-sized plans leave us with God-sized questions

31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

God-sized plans leave us with God-sized questions

• What God wants to bring about in our lives begins with Him.

• The disclosure of what God had in mind is specific enough to require us to respond in faith.

God’s plans need to be acted upon

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Biblical Examples of a Knock on the Door

AbrahamGod invited Abraham to leave his family and home.

Biblical Examples of a Knock on the Door

MosesMoses challenged to lead the Hebrew slaved out of Egypt

Biblical Examples of a Knock on the Door

EstherGod’s Plan for her was to be the wife of a pagan king.

Biblical Examples of a Knock on the Door

HoseaGod’s Plan for him was to marry a prostitute as a visual aid to God’s people.

Biblical Examples of a Knock on the Door

ElizabethAsked to bear a child in her old age.

PaulAsked to be apostle to the gentiles