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"
Love As He Has Loved Us
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so lovedContinue reading "Love As He Has Loved Us"
Say His Name
"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21 NIV) Our two year-old nephews are learning to say our names. And even though they still can't pronounce them right, they're quickly learning that they will get ourContinue reading "Say His Name"
The Peace of CHRISTmas
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called...Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NIV) The Bible describes peace as an internal state of being. A sense of calm on the inside despite the war that may be ragingContinue reading "The Peace of CHRISTmas"
The Gift of Worship
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 NIV We often associate the wise men with the gifts they presented the Christ child: gold, frankincense and myrrh.Continue reading "The Gift of Worship"
Jesus: The Gift We Needed
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 NIV) Ever since our twin nephews were born, we've gone to their parents for gift suggestions because they know what the boys need best. Of course weContinue reading "Jesus: The Gift We Needed"
Rediscovering the Christ of CHRISTmas
“He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared forContinue reading "Rediscovering the Christ of CHRISTmas"
Christmas: A Journey of Faith
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23 NIV) It doesn’t make sense, does it? Even Mary, who was chosen to be the mother of God’s Son, didn’t get it. “How will this be,” MaryContinue reading "Christmas: A Journey of Faith"
Rising with the Son 