Humility is easier to define than to display. Some would say that humility is the opposite of pride. Some would say that humility is the absence of pride. The problem is as believers we all struggle with pride. It creeps in slowly and disguises itself as advancement, success, or accomplishment. This pride quickly [...]
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 [...]
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!” [...]
Have you ever felt really insignificant? You know, like you didn’t matter. Maybe you have a job where you feel like you don’t make a difference. Maybe you struggle with your chosen profession or even your self-esteem. I think we all struggle with self-esteem. Either we think too lowly of ourselves or we think too [...]
A story is told of a furry green creature who was mistreated as a child. One Christmas, he was ridiculed for bringing a homemade quirky gift to school for the gift exchange. Children laughed at him and he became the center of all jokes. Yes, he was different and didn’t look the same as the [...]
Unassuming accommodations. 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 totally different. Mary and Joseph would have had a penthouse room at the Hilton. They would have had complimentary room service, an on call doctor, and a nurse who [...]
36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the [...]
26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” [...]
18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And [...]