What Does God Want for Christmas?

Welcome To REUNION

We are glad that you are here. We hope that you feel save, welcomed and relaxed. We are going to read the Bible, pray, sing a few songs and listen to a short Lead In. We might even have discussions

But.. you’re invited to participate as much as you want.

No expects you to speak or share. We do invite you to remain present. We believe that remaining present - even in our minds - is an act of love.

Songs of Advent Interrupted: What does God want for Christmas?

Luke 1: 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

• Mary is not just a character in this story but but an example we must imitate: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”

• What does God want for Christmas? God wants access to your life

Christianity is a way of life that gives us access to God as we give God access to us.

• Mary models a response that is later reflected in the garden by Jesus.

  • Kids will sometimes we do what say but they will always do what they see.

Easier said than Done

• “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

  • Mary is perplexed because she doesn’t view herself as someone “favoured by God.”

    • Do you ever feel this way?

God interrupted these people too:

• Abraham -Was old.

• Elijah – Was suicidal.

• Joseph – Was abused.

• Job – Went bankrupt.

• Moses – Had a speech problem.

• Gideon – Was afraid.

• Samson – Was a womanizer.

• Rahab – Was a prostitute.

• Samaritan Woman – Divorced.

• Noah – Was a Drunk.

• Jeremiah – Was young.

• Jacob – Was a cheater.

• David – Was a murderer.

• Jonah – Ran from God.

• Naomi – Was a widow.

• Peter – Denied Christ three times

• Martha – Worried about everything.

• Zacchaeus – Was small and money hungry.

• The Disciples – Fell asleep while praying.

• Paul – A Pharisee who persecuted Christians before becoming one.

Don’t allow the image you have of yourself keep you

from receiving an interruption from God.

Tightly Held No

• Sometimes we do not want to be interrupted by God

  • What areas of your life read: NO ACCESS?

Finish this Sentence: If it wasn’t for Jesus I wouldn’t be ___________.

All God wants for Christmas is more access to your life:

• access expands your community

• access extends love

Love Grows when we give God access to our lives