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• Christmas is a time of surprises.
• Illustration: A woman is surprised at Christmas by a man looking for work, but even more surprised when he paints her car green.

• We need to be quiet to hear.
  - Illustration: A father and his son discuss a painting of Jesus, who is knocking at a door, and they conclude people don't hear the knock because their lives are too noisy.
• The power of God in his creation moves silently.
• God speaks to the stilled heart.
  - Illustration: Thielemann shares his story of coming out of anesthesia to the sound of Christmas carols, awed by waking into the love of God.

• Christ's birth was evidence of a lowly man.
  - Illustration: Describing the delight of a young boy in a Christmas pageant, Thielemann illustrates Christ's simple birth.
• Christ's incarnation was evidence of God lowering himself.
  - Illustration: Thielemann tells the stories of a European monarch and a Hindu who try to grasp the wonder of a king purposely becoming a pauper.

• The audience of shepherds were a despised lot.
• The gospel has been given to the unworthy.
  - Illustration: Humorous letters from children hoping to earn Santa's favor illustrate the silliness of trying to earn God's grace.
  - Illustration: The story of Al Masters' forgiveness of the boy who killed his son demonstrates both grace to the undeserving and the saintliness of those who act in love.

• Mary, who "pondered these things in her heart," serves as our example of meditating on the meaning of Christmas.