For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us, and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 The Significance of Waiting for Jesus This time of year always brings back memories [...]
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is [...]
The Birth of Jesus Christ In those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. Luke 2:1 ESV The Savior Born a Stable? Seriously, you can’t make this stuff up. A stable? A manger? A feeding trough? Animals? Put me in charge, and it would have been [...]
Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually. Psalm 105:4 The retail industry is ramping up its assault on the American people. Christmas is weeks away, and people seem more focused on purchasing gifts and making plans to visit family and friends while deciding who brings which dish to the meal. I [...]
It happens every year sometime during the week after Christmas. People all over the world grab their trash bags full of torn paper and leftover food and throw it into the back of their trucks. They then sort through the many different sizes of boxes and take them to their trucks as well. The [...]
As I sit here thinking about all the preparations made for one day each year, I’m overwhelmed at how we spend so much time coordinating with family members to meet for good times together and the annual gift exchange. Families from different areas drive through horrible traffic and finally arrive at the designated home. [...]
What if you were in Bethlehem the night Jesus was born? Here’s what I know. You probably would be unaware of anything going on in the city. It was a normal night for you and your family. In fact, if you were able to get a room you would have considered yourself very lucky. It [...]
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the [...]
We focused earlier in the month on the idea of worship being a response to God’s grace in our lives. I really wanted to put it together for you as we look at the complete picture of worship with some of the key people in the Christmas story. We’ll look at Elizabeth, Mary, the angels, [...]
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” [...]