Mary Did You Know? Series

Series: Rhythms of Christmas:

What are rhythms? A strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound.

Thesis: Christmas always has a rhythm to it! Something happens at this time of year – some call it the magic of Christmas or the Christmas Spirit. But Christmas brings a rhythm with it.

Scriptures has a rhythm to it:

Ephesians 5:18b-20: Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

James 5:13: "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms".

Mark 1:21-45, 2:23-3:6, 6:1-6, 4:26-29 and 13:32-37These are passages in the Bible that mention rhythms of work, rest, and worship.

Introduction:

The world around us brings a rhythm with it- if you are at the ocean there is a rhythm to the waves – have you ever listened to the rhythm of the waves? Your heart has a rhythm to it and if it gets off its rhythm you will know it. (I know what it feels like to get your heart out of rhythm that’s why I have a Pacemaker in me) There is a rhythm when you are listening to clocks – especially the ones that do the tick tock - tick tock - tick-tock sounds. (Reference Grandma Kolling’s clock) You need rhythm to be a good dancer. Truth is if you lack the connection with the rhythm of the music then you will mess up as a dancer. Being in rhythm is essential!

There is also a rhythm to playing music and if you get off rhythm people will know it immediately. Just ask any musician or concert attender! You should have experienced the music of Christmas.

This month you have heard and experienced the rhythms of Christmas: Have you noticed all the new Christian Christmas Music this year. The Holy Spirit is moving. There have been bells ringing and people singing! Share what you experienced at Jewel! I have smelled and tasted the rhythm of Christmas in the holiday meals and off course the cookies – how about you?

I have been listening to the Spirit of Christmas, my heart has been connected with the true rhythm of the Spirit this season. That rhythm and its beats have been speaking and declaring Jesus this season! I really discovered the rhythm of Christmas through studying the life of Mary this last week.

The rhythms of Christmas have been ushering in the Christmas Spirit and the message of Jesus birth. I pray you have embraced the rhythms of the season –I have seen others fight against it saying, “Bah Humbug!” But the rhythms of the Christmas spirit will play repeatedly declaring the true meaning of Christmas- I pray His Spirit will influence and take root in your hearts as you listen this season.

I pray that you will be in sync to the Christmas rhythm and experience it through the Christmas story of Jesus. We need to experience the rhythm of Christmas through His divine rhythm and learn how those rhythms can be synced up to the soundtrack of our life today. Jesus is the only source to sync us into a rhythm with God and the Holy Spirit!

God wants you to enter the true rhythm of Christmas and experience the most amazing rhythm of life itself – Jesus personally and intimately!

Point of the series and message: My goal in this message is for you to get into rhythm with the Spirit of Christmas! Today I would like us to get into the rhythm of the birth of Jesus and into the heart and mind of Mary.

Have you ever pondered what Mary went through?

T.S. - Let’s explore our Christian Christmas Song Classic which we just sang.

Sermon: Did you Know? Do you know?

Scripture text: Luke 1 - The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, 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 virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”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 conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 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 Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”