Gathering Together

Luke 1:39-45, 56 – 39 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town 40 where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me?

44 When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” . . . 56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home. (New Living Translation)

What Is the Meaning of Our Gatherings?

1. There is joy in __________________ with one another

• Mary’s journey to Elizabeth is a powerful ________________ of connection

• What can I do?

▸ I can be __________ to others

▸ I can create a __________ ____________

2. There can be the __________________ in our relationships

Luke 1:41 – At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (New Living Translation)

• This reminds us relationships can be__________ experiences

• Christmas invites us to __________________ the profound connections we share

3. There can be celebration in our __________________

We can find common ground in shared faith and joy

• Let us find ____________ in our diversity

• Let us embrace not only our family and friends but those who may seem __________________ from us

• Every relationship has the potential to _______________ our lives

• Gatherings has the potential to bring us closer to understanding God’s __________

• It is also good to have the ______________________ of those we love

4. There can be _____________________ hearts filled with gratitude

• A hospitable heart is __________________ by gratitude

• When you and I come to terms with what God has done and is doing in our lives, we’re _____________________ to go and do __________________