This Sunday, Dec 21, The Red Brick Church celebrates many things, the advent of Christ, His manifest beauty, the glory of the Trinity, and the grace God has poured out on us.

One of the highlights of our special celebration service is the massive gift exchange at the end. After the benediction, Pastor Chris will dismiss the givers, now wearing their numbered name tags, to find their special person and give them their gift. (If you can’t find your person, stop by the table in back for help.)
 

We also celebrate by singing together, and this week a choir is leading “Mary, Did You Know?”
Although little is known about Jesus’ mother, Luke’s gospel contains two instances of Mary’s profound curiosity about the future of her little boy. After the Shepherds told of their incredible experience with a host of heaven’s angels, and after she returned to Jerusalem to find the young Jesus conversing with the religious teachers, “Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart,” Luke says (Luke 2:19,52). Although Mary couldn’t have known just how extraordinary and significant Jesus would be, she guides us on how to respond to majestic truths: believe and cherish.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will some day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you’ve delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when your kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

Oh Mary did you know

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you’re holding is the great I am

Lyrics: Lowry/Greene