Anchor Verse: Luke 1:26- 38
Sermon for Miller’s Station – November 30, 2025
Intro
In today’s message, I want to show that God can use anyone to bring the good news. Mary and Joseph were an insignificant couple from an insignificant town that in the telling of the story, transcends cultural norms. It demonstrates to all of us that everyone matters, especially the poor and marginalized. I want you to reflect on the time when you received the news that you were expecting a child or a grandchild, niece, or nephew.
The Announcement – Luke 1: 26-38
In this passage from Luke, we encounter the angel Gabriel, sent by God, delivering an extraordinary message to Mary: she will bear Jesus, the very Son of God. Consider, for a moment, the magnitude of this announcement. Mary, in humility and faith, responds, “I am the Lord’s servant.” She does not protest, nor does she turn away in fear. Instead, she opens her heart and life to God’s plan, embracing her place in the unfolding story of salvation.
Mary’s story, brothers and sisters, is not just an ancient narrative—it is a living testimony. Like the prophets before her, she is approached by a messenger of the Most High. But what sets Mary apart is her willingness to say “yes” to God, becoming the vessel through which the Savior enters our world. She is the first to welcome Christ physically, inviting the presence of God into her very being. Throughout history, Christians have looked to Mary as a model of obedience, devotion, and courage—qualities that we too are called to embody as we bear God’s presence in our own lives.
Let us pause and reflect on the circumstances surrounding Mary when Gabriel appears. Scripture tells us she is a virgin, which is more than a biological fact—it points to her social reality. Mary is unmarried, childless, and without status. She is young, engaged (betrothed) to Joseph, but she does not yet hold an honored place in her community. In the world’s eyes, she is ordinary, even insignificant.
Yet, isn’t it just like our God to choose the humble, the overlooked, the ones willing to trust? If we place ourselves in Mary’s sandals, we might feel the weight of uncertainty and fear. But her response is a beacon for us today. She says yes, not knowing all that will unfold, but trusting that God will be faithful. Friends, what is God asking of you this Advent season? Like Mary, may we answer with a willing heart, “I am the Lord’s servant.” Amen.
There is Hope in the Excitement
Birth announcements are often fairly joyous experiences, and in modern times, we are entertained by the myriad of ways people celebrate gender reveals—my favorites are the ones that go horribly wrong. While we did not do gender reveals when we were having kids (though I had an intuition that all of our kids were girls), we did not truly know until they were born. Pregnancy announcements can generate excitement as they signify new beginnings and joy for the expecting parents. However, reactions can vary widely; while some people feel happiness, others may experience jealousy or sadness, especially if they are facing their own challenges with fertility.
In the excitement, there is hope. As we contemplate the joy and hope that birth announcements bring, let us also remember how traditions—both sacred and cultural—intertwine to enrich our experience of Advent. The anticipation of new life, whether in the form of a child or the coming of Christ, is immersed in layers of meaning that invite us to pause, celebrate, and reflect. Just as Mary received the angel’s message with humility and faith, and as generations have marked the season with symbols of hope and renewal, we are called to recognize God’s movement in our own stories. This Advent, may our hearts be open to the possibility of transformation and the gentle arrival of grace, finding ourselves part of a greater narrative that began long ago and continues to unfold with each act of trust and every spark of hope.
The Faithful Response
Let us reflect on Mary’s response to God’s call. As we reflect, we will find ourselves drawn into the very heart of the Advent story. Her humble acceptance is mirrored in the experience of Zechariah, whose own encounter with the angel Gabriel took place just moments before Mary’s in the gospel narrative. These two faithful servants—Zechariah and Mary—stand before us as examples of how challenging it can be to accept a good word from the Lord, both in the moment and throughout the journey that follows.
I challenge you to consider how God so often chooses the humble, the overlooked, the ones who might feel unworthy in their own eyes. Just as Zechariah and Mary did, we sometimes respond with fear or doubt when God calls us into something new. Yet, the beauty of these stories is that worthiness is not determined by status or strength, but by faith and humility. God calls us not because of who the world says we are, but because of who He knows we can become through trust and obedience.
Let us not overlook the sacred role of doubt and wonder on our spiritual journeys. Contrary to what many think, doubt isn’t opposed to faith; instead, it can lead us toward greater insight and personal growth. From childhood, we are filled with questions, curiosity, and with the courage to challenge what we do not know. As we mature, God invites us to continue asking, to wrestle with our uncertainties, and to find the Divine in the mystery. Our spiritual growth is not a single event, but a lifelong process of becoming, much like God’s continual presencing of God’sself in all our lives.
Look to Zechariah, whose doubt led him to silence—a silence that became a vessel for transformation. In that quiet season, Zechariah was humbled, and through reflection, he was able to open his heart to God’s plan. Perhaps some of us today find ourselves in our own period of silence, waiting for clarity, longing for assurance. Take comfort: God is working even in the silence, shaping us for what comes next. And then consider Mary, who, though uncertain, responded with faith and obedience. Her willingness to say “yes” becomes a beacon for us, showing that true worthiness springs from a heart ready to serve.
The Advent Take Away
To close, the theme for the first week of Advent is “Hope.” This is not merely a word—it is the heartbeat of our anticipation, the light that guides us as we await the coming of the Messiah. This sacred season draws us into reflection, inviting us to listen deeply to the ancient prophecies that foretold the birth of Jesus, and to prepare our hearts for His arrival at Christmas.
Let me share a personal story with you. Years ago, after my first career came to an end, I found myself rebuilding—not just my professional life, but my sense of purpose. I was never much of a student, yet I was faced with a crossroads: my supervisor insisted I pursue a second Master’s degree, warning that without it, my current credentials would no longer be honored, and I would face a significant pay cut. I resisted, I doubted, I feared—but reluctantly, in 2008, I enrolled in a Masters of Counseling program at Capella University. After the first ten weeks, I received a 4.0 GPA—something I had never achieved in twelve years of public school or seven years of higher education. “Let’s try this again,” I thought. And, by God’s grace, I maintained that level of excellence (with only one exception) for all four years, graduating with honors. Here I learned very intimately that believing in hope and trusting in God’s guidance can see us through uncertain times.
Church, what is the Lord calling you toward this Advent season? Are you feeling the weight of uncertainty, wrestling with doubt, or perhaps standing in awe and wonder at what might unfold? Know this: just as God chose the humble, the overlooked, and the uncertain—Mary, Zechariah, and so many others—God will use you, with all your doubts and questions, to accomplish His divine purposes. Let us, like Mary, offer ourselves as servants of the Lord, trusting that the One who has begun a good work in us will be faithful to complete it.
So I ask you, as we begin this Advent journey: Where is hope alive in your life today? Can you see God stirring something new within you? May we honor our doubts and cherish our wonder, knowing that God meets us in both. Let us answer as Mary did, with willing and open hearts, “I am the Lord’s servant.”
May it be so
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