Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-6; Matthew 6:43-48

An angel appearing to a peasant girl and proclaiming the impossible — yes, it’s possible. Who doesn’t at least want to believe in angels?

No room in the inn. Don’t we all identify with desperate need? A closed door on hope? But then it cracks open just a little. There is the stable with the animals…

And we love the image of the baby in the manger, with all the animals looking sweetly on. Who doesn’t love babies and gentle animals?

We love a good story. But when the Baby becomes the Man Who begins preaching about loving others as our own selves — even our enemies — what then? We are at least intrigued.