Para Vista Lutheran Church

Jesus, our Hope for now and eternity

Christmas Eve
Interruptions that change everything

“A sorrow shared is a sorrow halved; a joy shared is a joy doubled.”

The invitation of Gabriel to Mary is a reminder that God shows up when you least expect it and invites us to participate in His majestic and glorious plan through His son, Jesus Christ. But it is still an invitation. There is time for preparation and a time for a response, but truly, how can anyone really turn down an invitation from the King of Kings?

Could it be that waiting is vital for growing patience and the capacity to bear with others? Perhaps waiting helps us to find greater satisfaction in the fulfillment of a hope or dream. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a hope fulfilled is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12 NIV)

This Sunday we consider Israel’s waiting for God to fulfill his promises to Abraham and David. Reading through the Old Testament, we find people who keep turning away from God and ending up in trouble. Yet God keeps reminding them that a son of David would usher in a new covenant that would ultimately bring God’s light to the nations.

Join with us this week to plow through the darkness and hear God’s message to His people living now, who might be living in darkness, that the light is continuing to dawn and arise in the life and soul of His people.