We have created this space for you to attend to God, others and yourself with a focus on Luke 1:26-45, which is Mary learning that she was highly favored by God and would give birth to Jesus, God's anointed to bring good news to the poor, release to the captive, recovery of sight to the blind and freedom for the oppressed. After receiving this news Mary quickly goes on a journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth, someone with whom she can share the deepest parts of her life. Our theme for this fourth Sunday of Advent is love. The simple message of Christmas is that God has drawn near to the world out of love. The kind of love (favor) that God showed to Mary (a poor teenage girl) is the same love that God shows you. Mary and Elizabeth had a kind of love between them where they could share the deepest parts of their lives with one another. This is possible because of God's deep love for each of us, too. There may be some of us these days struggling to know we are loved, struggling to believe that we are God's favored one, struggling to know if there is anyone who we might share the deepest parts of our lives with. We want you to know that you are not alone. Please reach out in reply to this email and we can make an appointment to talk and pray together. You are deeply loved by God!