This Christmas Eve we revisit the story of Mary in Luke 1 and explore what her response to God reveals about genuine faith. Mary begins with simple, willing trust—“Let it be to me according to your word”—but her journey shows that faith doesn’t stay static. It grows, stretches, and deepens through confusion, hardship, and wonder. From Jesus’ birth to His ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection, Mary continually relearns who her son truly is: the Son of God, the Savior, the risen King.

The message invites us to reflect on our own faith this Christmas. Do we merely acknowledge Jesus, or do we trust Him, love Him, and yield our lives to Him? Like Mary, we’re called to let God interrupt our plans, shape our hearts, and lead us into a deeper, more mature faith—one that believes He is with us, loves us, and carries us through every season.

In our Advent series "Grace Required: The Family Tree of Jesus" we will consider David & Bathsheba. The setting is one of the highpoints in the history of Israel, the reigns of King David and his son, Solomon. But the scene is one of dismal failure and shame. Bathsheba is caught in the middle of the struggle. At the beginning of the story, she's laregely the victim. Towards the end of the story, she rises above her circumstances and has a positive influence. She becomes active in redeeming the kingship in Israel for one more generation. Through her dark ordeal, she becomes a light. She probably would not have chosen what happened. But God was at work graciously preserving his people until a better, different King would come. We are not just victims of the evil around us. By God's grace in our lives, He may still do something special with our lives, if we rely on Him and show up when needed.

This Advent our theme is "Grace Required: the Family Tree of Jesus." We are looking at the stories of the people who make up the family tree of the Lord Jesus. This week: a Canaanite prostitute in the city of Jericho named Rahab. You never know where a new believer may come from. But you will come to recognize them by the shape of their faith. Rahab was an unclean person with a soiled past. She was afraid of the God of Israel and his people. That fear matured into faith and she married into the community of Israel. Jesus came at Christmas so that he might cover over our shame, deliver us into his love and give us peace and joy, as a gift. All this, only when we believe. If you are hungry for the grace of God, "Come and get it!"

This Sunday we will focus on Advent in our teaching series entitled "Grace Required: the Family Tree of Jesus." We will see why the coming of Jesus to be born to redeem was so much more than a "Hallmark Moment." It was absolutely necessary if there was ever a hope for the world We will consider some of the special names singled out in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. This week we will look at the life of Tamar & Judah in Genesis 38, talk about dysfunctional. If ever there was a family that needed grace, it was the family of Jacob/Israel. It becomes abundantly clear, even among the people who know the One True God, that they were desperate for the mercy, grace and kindness of God. If you are not a Hallmark Christian, from a Hallmark family with a Hallmark life, then you are just the kind of person Jesus came for...grace required. Join us this Advent to see why the hope of the good news is so necessary.