Its already the 4th week of Advent this Sunday 9:30am worship and then we follow that up with a Christmas Eve service on Monday at 5:30pm!  Invite your friends and neighbors.  Gather your family together and make worship a priority for your family Christmas celebration this season.  Is Jesus not the reason for the season?  All other things seem to pale in comparison.

I began this Advent season with a reflection on the need to make space for the coming of Jesus to the human heart.  How has that been going for you over the past three weeks?  Now is the time.  On Sunday, we will reflect on this phrase in Luke 2, “Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.”  Mary intentionally made space for the Savior of the world in more ways than one.  She carried the Savior, gave birth to the Savior, held the Savior, nursed the Savior, sang the Savior to sleep, began raising the Savior… (you get the picture!) She made room for the Savior and in those early days can imagine all that she pondered, reflected on, and prayed into.  What a wonder this baby Jesus would have been.

Mary and Joseph are wonderful examples of God’s people listening, responding in faith and surrender, and stepping forward in obedience.  Here is something to ponder and reflect on: How do both Mary and Joseph demonstrate listening, faith, surrender and obedience?  Take a look at the early chapters in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John before Jesus was born.  How does Mary respond to the news that she will become pregnant by the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Savior of the World?  How does Joseph respond to the news of Mary’s pregnancy?  What is the initial reactions?  What are the steps of faith demonstrated after they encounter the angels?

See you Sunday!  In the Advent spirit – waiting… can’t wait!

Pastor Mark