Gabriel's message to Mary was probably terrifying seeing as how she was to have a child, but was a virgin. God saw this ordinary girl and valued her as a favored one just as he dos with all of us. The lord is with us.

Some of us are ready for Christmas, but some of us aren't quite there yet. But why? Is it because we are not yet open to being amazed by God walking among us?

Our hope this advent is to be, like Mary, amazed and astonished.

We have a God that sits on high and he chooses to see each and every one of us. How available are we to God in this Christmas season?

Mary's soul was pierced when Jesus was pierced on the cross and our souls will also be pierced in this life too.

Were you there when they crucified our Lord? Mary was...

Should we have expectations about others? About our faith? We often leave others satisfied, but we are let broken and bruised, seemingly all alone. God speaks through these silent times of adversity, trials, and tribulations to restore our dignity.

Pastor Jack encourages us to seek out the "Marys" this Christmas season.

During this time of the year we are often reminded of things that trouble us. Despite this sense of despair, have hope! Jesus is the hope of the world and while we might suffer great loss and pain, like Mary when Jesus was crucified, we will one day rise again with our living God!

What can Mary teach us about Christmas?