One of the most enjoyable things we can do during this time is to gather together to sing Christmas Carols!
I invite you and your loved ones to join us as we do our best to spread Christmas cheer as we minister in song.
You don't have to be an official “singer,” but bring your best smile along and be ready to share the love of Jesus Christ with people who need to hear this message of hope!
Here we are again at the beginning of another year, and there's been a thought in my mind that may seem simple, yet it's a powerful truth; “New Year, Same God”!
That brief statement reminds me of the beautiful scripture in Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
With changes coming at us so quickly, it's wonderful to know God never changes! God doesn't “adapt” to the times. The Word doesn't change according to cultural pressures. God doesn't need to run for political office because He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
There is a beautiful quote that I wanted to share with you, which shares the sacrificial nature of the incarnation of Christ. We often only think of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, but His sacrificial giving started years before the cross!
“The Life came down, that He might be slain; the Bread came down, that He might hunger; the Way came down, that He might be wearied in the way; the Fountain came down, that He might thirst.” – Augustine of Hippo
The Bible tells us in Isaiah 7:14 (NKJV) 14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
We can read the story of the Wise Men following the star to worship Jesus in Matthew 2:1-12. Please take some time to read that story as we come into the Christmas season.
The attitude of the Wise Men who came from a long distance away to honor the Christ Child is the same attitude humanity needs today in seeking.
The first chapter of Matthew represents the Lord Jesus as a Jew, the Son of David, the long-expected Messiah.
The second chapter tells us that the Gentiles are also interested in the newborn Savior.
Welcome! Today is the first Sunday in the Advent season. Can you think of some of the Biblical themes of this season? Certainly, the love and faithfulness of God our Father is high up there, but have you ever considered the idea of hope? Although it may not be the first thing that comes to mind during the Christmas season, there is much to consider.
In fact, hope is a very prominent theme in Advent. The anticipation of the coming Messiah is always in light of the hope we have in his return. Just as the Israelites hoped for their deliverance, we too look forward to the final deliverance, his return in glory where he will create a new heavens and a new earth. As the prophet Isaiah proclaims: