Mary believed the angel Gabriel’s message that she would give birth to the Son of God. On the other hand, Pharisees and scribes denied that Jesus could forgive sins when rewarding the faith of a small group who lowered a paralyzed man through the roof to ask for healing. Jesus then instructed the man to walk home with his stretcher, showing the power of His words. Like children who played flutes and expected people to dance to their tunes, people criticized both John the Baptist and Jesus. Advent invites the faithful to repent while looking forward to rejoicing. Do we respond in harmony with God’s will for us as we prepare for Christmas?