The outward decorations don’t give a lasting reprieve from the inward turmoil. Isaiah 9:1-7 Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever…. The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! Individual view Worldview Eternal view To THRIVE in a temporal world with an eternal soul - you must have an eternal view. Luke 1:26 - 38 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.” Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. 1. OUR LIVES ARE A PART OF GOD’S GREATER STORY “In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee (Isaiah 9 prophecy), to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David.” Psalm 139:16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 2. WE ALL GET CONFUSED AND DISTURBED SOMETIMES. “Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.” Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 3. WE CAN MAKE A QUICK PIVOT “Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” James 1:3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. Habakkuk 3:17-18 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 4. GOD’S PRESENCE EQUIPS US FOR THE . “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Hebrews 11:13-16 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.