December 7th, 2025 | Attributes of Advent | Luke 1:26-38

In this week’s Advent message, Pastor Matt Darby invites us into Luke 1 to rediscover the heart of Christmas: a God who longs to be known. As we continue our Attributes of Advent series, we see two breathtaking truths about God woven through the story of Jesus’ arrival—He is omnipotent (all-powerful) and immanent (always present).

Pastor Matt shows how God’s power and God’s nearness converge in unexpected places. From a forgotten town like Nazareth to a humble young woman like Mary, we see that God draws near not because we are impressive, but because He is gracious. His presence lifts our fears, speaks peace into our anxieties, and meets us in the quiet corners of life where we least expect Him.

Through Gabriel’s announcement, we are reminded that God’s unstoppable power is building a kingdom no force on earth can disrupt. The virgin birth becomes more than a miracle—it becomes the foundation of our salvation, showing us that Jesus is both fully God and fully man, the only One able to redeem us. And yet, this same omnipotent God comes near, overshadowing His people with the power of the Holy Spirit, accomplishing in us what we could never accomplish on our own.

Pastor Matt challenges us to consider: What happens when the God who can do anything also promises to be with us in everything? The answer is found in Mary’s response—full surrender. Not a surrender of defeat, but a surrender of trust. A willingness to say, “Let it be to me according to Your word,” even when the path is unclear.

This episode calls us to rest instead of strive, trust instead of fear, and surrender instead of control. Because God is both stronger than we think and closer than we realize.

Do you know JESUS? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nbgilmer.org/do-you-know-jesus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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