1. A Season of Wonder Mary Luke 1:26-38

2. Advent Candle As we light the first candle, we are called to step outside of time for these weeks, opening our hearts to the miracle of Christ's comings and to his blueprint for our lives. People: Lord, help us see your plans as more wonder-full than ours.

3. Advent Candle Leader: What are your plans for Christmas? is a question we'll all be asked many times this season. These plans mean shopping, entertaining, baking and eating, playing, decorating, giving, worshipping, traveling, and communicating with those we care about. What an amazing adventure we could have if we consulted God in setting our daily agendas! Response: Lord, help us listen for your voice as we map out our days.

4. Advent Candle Leader: Mary was astonished when the angel interrupted her life with the startling announcement that she would be the mother of Jesus. Yet she regrouped and fully opened her heart and life to a radical change of plans. Lord, give us the courage to lay down our plans and planners and embrace your unique design for these days and for our lives. Advent Candle: Lord, help us affirm with Mary, "Let it be with me just as you say."

5. A Season of Wonder Mary Luke 1:26-38

6. 26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgins name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.

7. 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.

8. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.

9. 34 How will this be, Mary asked the angel, since I am a virgin? 35 The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

10. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God. 38 I am the Lords servant, Mary answered. May it be to me as you have said. Then the angel left her.

14. God has plans for Ordinary People Mary Lived in a small town Mary had a very common name Mary was very ordinary in many ways

15. God has plans for Ordinary People Luke 1:26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, John 1:46 Nazareth! Can anything good come from there? Nathanael asked. Come and see, said Philip.

16. Gods Plans take precedence over our plans Mary was a young woman in the process of planning her wedding. Mary was going about her daily routine when there was a knock at the door

17. Gods Plans are accompanied by a sense of his presence Luke 1:28 28 The angel went to her and said, Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. God has chosen you God is present with you

18. God-sized plans leave us with God-sized questions 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 34 How will this be, Mary asked the angel, since I am a virgin? 35 The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

19. God-sized plans leave us with God-sized questions What God wants to bring about in our lives begins with Him. The disclosure of what God had in mind is specific enough to require us to respond in faith.

20. Gods plans need to be acted upon 38 I am the Lords servant, Mary answered. May it be to me as you have said. Then the angel left her.

21. Biblical Examples of a Knock on the Door Abraham God invited Abraham to leave his family and home.

22. Biblical Examples of a Knock on the Door Moses Moses challenged to lead the Hebrew slaved out of Egypt

23. Biblical Examples of a Knock on the Door Esther Gods Plan for her was to be the wife of a pagan king.

24. Biblical Examples of a Knock on the Door Hosea Gods Plan for him was to marry a prostitute as a visual aid to Gods people.

25. Biblical Examples of a Knock on the Door Elizabeth Asked to bear a child in her old age. Paul Asked to be apostle to the gentiles