This final sermon of our Advent series "Foretold," looks at the birth of John the Baptist, and Zechariah's exclamation of praise for the deliverance that God is bringing through Jesus in Luke 1:57-80.

Yet, prior to that, John must come to prepare the way for the Lord. Are you prepared to meet Jesus?

He's coming for you. To deliver you out of darkness and the shadow of death and guide your feet in the way of peace.

In this week's sermon, our focus is on the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth. This is an incredible interactions. The young, unmarried girl who has miraculously conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. And the old, barren woman who has miraculously conceived with her husband by the power of the Holy Spirit.

These two are relatives, and Mary goes from Nazareth on a 4 day journey to the hill country outside of Jerusalem. Upon Mary's arrival, the baby inside Elizabeth leaps for joy!

This third week of Advent is the week for joy is so it is fitting to follow John's reaction as we engage with Jesus.

In Luke, chapter 2, when Jesus' birth is announced by angels to the shepherds, the angels declare: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

But when the angel Gabriel announces Jesus birth to Mary, the announcement looks different: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you."

Peace and shadow. Light and darkness. Both are true in the life of the Christian. And both would be true in the life of Mary. Yet, she surrenders to the working of God in her life anyhow.

What gave her the strength and wisdom to do this? How can we find the same courage to act as Mary did? In this sermon, Pastor Kevin considers the "shadowed" life of the Christian - and the light which gives us hope and peace.