It’s Christmas Eve! I’m glad you checked in today. Many of us will soon be headed to Christmas Eve worship and family gatherings. We will celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus. So I wanted to keep this message short and offer this prayer: Heavenly Father, You are all too wonderful. You are all too lovely. You are my Lord, my God, my all in all. You are worthy of all praise, … [Read more...] about Merry Christmas
Advent
Glory in the Highest
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:13–14, ESV) Angels Praise What would Christmas worship be without a rousing rendition of Angels We Have Heard on High? Glo - o - o - o - o - o - o - o - ria in excelsis Deo. Translated: … [Read more...] about Glory in the Highest
Check Your Assumptions
Our Christmas narrative is filled with assumptions. We have totally reconstructed the Christmas story with our traditions. What really happened is often a far cry from what we see portrayed in Christmas pageants and plays. The way we tell the story does not always line up with what the Bible tells us. Here is one example. The Bible does not tell us there was a stable. We make … [Read more...] about Check Your Assumptions
And It Came to Pass Today
“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.” (Luke 2:1, KJV) God knows what he is doing. He does not make mistakes. His timing is impeccable. We may think we know better, but in the end, God always shows himself to be right. God sent Jesus at the perfect time in history. Many patriarchs of the Old … [Read more...] about And It Came to Pass Today
God Chooses You
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” (Luke 1:46–49, ESV) The Magnificat! Mary’s song! It is a song of joy! She rejoices at … [Read more...] about God Chooses You