He Must Become Greater

“He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30 NIV) “Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. “What is your request?” he asked. She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places ofContinue reading "He Must Become Greater"

Seeing People for Who They Are

As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.” (John 1:47 NLT) Jesus could see through people. John tells us, “No one had to tell him what people were like. He already knew” (John 2:25 CEV). Jesus could tell that Nathaniel was a true Israelite. He didn’tContinue reading "Seeing People for Who They Are"

God’s Perfect Timing

It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler over Abilene. Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message from God cameContinue reading "God’s Perfect Timing"

The Gift of Praise

"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people." (Luke 1:68 NIV) We find several people offering the gift of praise in the nativity story. We hear... Mary praising God in a song, also known as "The Magnificat:" And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the LordContinue reading "The Gift of Praise"

Jesus: The Reason for the Season

In the busyness of the Season, I've been doing my best to remember the Reason. I stumbled across this Christian parody of the classic Christmas poem, "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." It's a beautiful reminder to keep Christ in Christmas. ‘Twas the night before Christmas–and in most of the town, Not a sign of Jesus–wasContinue reading "Jesus: The Reason for the Season"

Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain

 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. (Matthew 1:24 NIV) I don't think we talk enough about Joseph's sacrifice in the Christmas story. Joseph was a man who "was faithful to the law" (Matthew 1:19). He was pledged to be marriedContinue reading "Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain"

When the Fullness of Time Had Come

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4 ESV) "When the fullness of time had come..." God's timing is perfect. He set the time for Jesus' birth, just as He hasContinue reading "When the Fullness of Time Had Come"

Appreciate the Present

The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29 NIV) There's a Christmas song that I like to listen to every year...It's called, "Mary, Did You Know?" The song is aContinue reading "Appreciate the Present"