Jesus lights up the world. He makes the unknowable God knowable. 

Jesus’ birth is a sacrificial act of love that points us to the gospel work Jesus accomplished on our behalf 

God turns on its head the human perceptions of significance based on human strength, appearance, wisdom, knowledge – human skill, talent, creativity, and charisma, and their own attempts to earn righteousness. 

Mary’s story is inspiring, but what do we do with it? Is the moral here to just be like Mary? I mean that is the temptation. Her faith and bravery in this text are beautiful and we should all hope to love and follow God like she does, but to make this text about Mary is to miss the point. Because Mary’s faith isn’t a picture of how awesome she is. Its a picture of how gracious God is. Even our ability to trust him in faith is a gift given to us by our gracious God.

Matthew 11_1-24 (Are You the One Who is to Come_)

Count the cost, consider the reward, and Proclaim Jesus

Jesus called, empowered, and sent his closest followers as direct emmesaries of his ministry. They represent him and extend his ministry to more people in need of the kingdom.  This is our call! The gospel grace we receive is not to terminate on us. If Christ is pouring into us, he should be pouring out of us.