[Genesis 3:14-15 ESV] The LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
[Romans 5:8,10-11 ESV] but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
[Ephesians 2:16 ESV] and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
[2 Corinthians 5:18 ESV] All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;
[Colossians 1:20 ESV] and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
[Luke 1:28-33 ESV] And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
Call to Worship – UM Book of Worship #249
Eternal God,
in your providence you made all ages
a preparation for the kingdom of your Son.
Make ready our hearts for the brightness of your glory
and the fullness of your blessing in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Music
203 – Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
204 – Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Special Music – Mary, Did you Know?
218 – It Came Upon a Midnight Clear – verses 1, 3, 4