Joseph faced a difficult choice -- the woman he loved was pregnant and the child was not his. What should he do? Though he likely felt betrayed, he chose a path that would spare Mary of any additional shame, even at great cost to himself. God gave Jesus parents who would raise Jesus in the path of true righteousness, a path of faith, mercy, and self-sacrificial love.

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Jesus was raised by two parents -- Joseph and Mary. Today we see some of the character that made Joseph a fitting parent for God the Son.

- However we picture Joseph's understanding of "righteousness," we see that he was willing to pay a high cost to spare Mary any additional shame. If you had to guess, why do you think Joseph might have made such a choice?

- Any calling of God will involve sacrifice because it is a call to love something or someone more than we love ourselves. What or whom has God called you to love sacrificially?

Zechariah's mouth is unsealed and he offers a prophetic word about his newborn son John. But this word about John the Baptist is actually much more about Jesus and how John will point others to him. Truly, this word is meant for us all -- to see our stories in light of the role we might play in the larger story of God!

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For Reflection:

- John will have a message to share, the core of which is highlighted by his father Zechariah in this prophetic word. How are you like John? To what extent is the message about Jesus the core message of your life?

- John would spend the early part of his life in the wildnerness, away from attention until he was ready for his public ministry. Are there any practices of solitude which have helped or might help you in your walk with Jesus?

Sermon #4 of Highrock's Advent series, "Expecting: Awaiting the Birth of Jesus," by Pastor John Mury from Luke 1:46-56 NIV

The angel Gabriel twice addresses Mary as the "favored one" or the one who has found favor with God. The second half of Gabriel's word to Mary explains the way in which she has found favor or grace -- the Lord is with her! Truly that is the ultimate grace that is offered to all of us, that they Lord would be with us. And, of course, that truth is the very heart of Christmas! The Lord is with you!

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For Reflection:

Gabriel tells Mary to not be afraid. Why? Because she has found favor with God and the Lord is with her.

- Finding favor (grace) with God gives gives Mary the ultimate reason to not be afraid. How has your awareness of God's presence in your life affected the way you react to fear? Can you think of a specific example?

- The temptation to take control of our own needs rather than trusting God and one another (independence vs. interdependence) paradoxically exposes us to more fear. Is that true? What has been your experience?

As a priest, Zechariah speaks for the people to God and for God to the people. However, Zechariah is silenced when he fails to listen to the voice of the angel of the Lord. Still, God is able to speak through Zechariah even in his silence, perhaps even moreso through his temporary disability. How might God give you a voice and what might God have you say, and to whom?

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For Reflection:

Zechariah is silenced but God is able to speak through him. Mary has little voice, but God is able to magnify hers.

- Sometimes God impacts us through people we might expect such as parents, teachers, pastors, wise friends, etc.. Who are some of the voices God has used to impact you? Who are some of the unexpected voices God has used?

- Later on, God gives Zechariah his voice once again (vv67-79). As much as God might give you an opportunity to speak, what might you want others to know about you and about God?

How far would you go to know and love someone? "Incarnation" refers to God becoming flesh (v14), just like us. God goes for the full human experience, as far as one could possibly go. And in so doing, Jesus becomes the one being in the universe with first-hand, full understanding of both God and humanity. He is the ultimate Christmas gift -- one who understands and empathizes with us (grace) and is able to also reveal the fullness of God to us (truth).

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For Reflection:

John proclaims, but never fully explains, the paradox that Jesus is the eternal Word that took on flesh. In other words, Jesus is both truly God and truly human!

- At Christmas, God becomes flesh (v14), embracing the full human experience. What does that tell you about God? What does it mean to you to know that God now has first-hand knowledge of the ups-and-downs of our human struggles?

- Jesus is also the image of a God we cannot see (v18). What do you see in Jesus about God that might be difficult to know or believe without the Incarnation?

In this replay from December 13, 2023, we hear the apostle Paul remind us that our generosity is brought to life out of gratitude for what Jesus has done for us. Jesus became poor to make us rich (v.9)! And in so doing, he shows us the path to true life — that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).

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For Reflection:

"Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich." - 2 Cor 8:9

- There is an old saying that we should "count our blessings." It's not always easy to feel grateful, but what are some of the reasons you have to be thankful?

- It can be helpful to practice gratitude until the feeling begins to take hold. For example, some people write down moments of gratitude in a journal. Is there a practice that might help you? Perhaps there is someone to whom you could express your thanks today?

In this replay from December 6, 2023, Jesus tells a story about farmers who rent their land but decide to fight the owner in order to keep what does not belong to them. The parable illustrates how many will not look forward to the return of the Son, denying anything we might owe to God. This Advent, let us prepare to receive the Lord with gladness, giving back to God with a spirit of gratitude!

We are replaying past Advent devos today and tomorrow due to scheduling challenges that come from wrapping up our Christmas Benefit Concert. We will return with original content this Wednesday!

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Sermon #3 of Highrock's Advent series, "Expecting: Awaiting the Birth of Jesus," by Pastor Meghan DeJong from Isaiah 61:1-4 and Luke 4:16-21 (NIV)

John's Gospel opens much like Genesis, "In the beginning...." But through John, we see that the Creator God in Genesis was actually God the Father working with and through God the Son. And instead of the "let there be light" of Genesis, God the Son becomes the light that shines in our darkness. We are not the light; we are not anyone's savior. Instead, like John the Baptist, our honored role is to point others to the light that is coming into our world!

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