Merry Christmas everyone! On this glorious Christmas Day we are sharing Nicole's Christmas message from last year on Mary and the visitation from Gabriel. Whether you are cleaning up wrapping paper, making a Christmas feast, or quietly taking in the day, let's ponder the miracle of Jesus' birth and the awe Mary experienced together.  WHAT DOES IT SAY? Luke 1 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. WHAT’S THE BACKSTORY? What do we know about Mary: -she knew some scripture-she was faithful-she was among the believers [not venerated, but in community] Acts 1:14  14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. Mary had no qualifications for being chosen. This beginning also mirrors our beginning when it comes to receiving the good news. All of the good news is contained here: You who are highly favored. In the context of the world, she is not highly favored. When we think of what makes someone highly favored, we tend to think of the examples we have in the world. But that wasn’t Mary at all.  You have found favor with God. [favor=charis=grace] -Not dependent on anything that she (or us) can do. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers. (Deuteronomy 7:6–8) What was given through the Israelites is now passed to everyone: Galatians 3:14 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. The Lord is with you.  Matthew 1:23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).  You aren’t alone. You aren’t isolated. God knows you. *Emmanuel But God with us, as in He comes to live inside us, giving us strength in place of weakness, courage in place of fear, and vibrant life in all those dark places that once felt dead. – Jennifer Slattery The power of being “with”. When people are hurting, we want to be with them. Waiting in hospital rooms. [Brantley/AJ] She receives two promises: highly favored, Lord with you. Crazy surprise – 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Basil Pennington: “my self-worth my value depends on what I have, what I can do, and what others think of me” My false self protects me with: I am what I do.I am what I have.I am what others think of me. My true self: I am. (I am worthy)I am the Lord’s. (I belong)I am the Lord’s servant. (I have purpose) Living in our true self is about a radical acceptance of who we are, based on what God has decided. “Some Christians base their identity on being a sinner. I think they have it wrong—or only half right. You are not simply a sinner; you are a deeply loved sinner.”  David Benner Accepting the incredible surprise of the good news means releasing control. Receiving the gift of our favor is the ability to open our hands to everything God gives, “I am the Lord’s servant, may your word be fulfilled.” Radical acceptance unlocks the joy of surprise. surprise-find-shift-change WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME? What sets Mary apart is her radical acceptance to God’s invitation, and what defines us as children of God is our radical acceptance to the same invitation. Radical Accepta