Scripture Reading — Matthew 1:1-24. . . and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.— Matthew 1:16Christmas often brings families together for celebrations. In many ways this can be a wonderful time of celebration and encouragement.
Scripture Reading — Luke 1:46-56“The Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.”— Luke 1:49One danger we can slip into at Christmastime is discontent. Maybe we long for “the perfect gift” from someone. Or we hope for the perfect family gathering with “just the right people” around the
Scripture Reading — Luke 1:39-45“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”— Luke 1:45In many ways Mary’s surprise pregnancy was not welcome news. Though she had accepted God’s will, it must have been puzzling. God’s way of working in her life was rather shocki
Scripture Reading — Luke 1:26-38“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”— Luke 1:38Surprise is a part of many stories people tell at Christmastime. Lots of folk stories, novels, and movies with Christmas themes include fun twists and surprises. And often the most
Scripture Reading — Luke 1:8-25Zechariah asked . . . “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”— Luke 1:18Zechariah and Elizabeth had grown old waiting for a child. But then one day, when Zechariah had an opportunity to burn incense in a holy, inner room of the
Scripture Reading — Luke 1:5-7They were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.— Luke 1:7The Christmas story begins with broken dreams. Elizabeth and Zechariah had prayed fervently to have a child (see Luke 1:13), but God had not answered in the way they ha
Scripture Reading — Luke 1:1-4I . . . decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.— Luke 1:3-4The Christmas story is familiar to many people throughout the world, wherever the message of Christ has spre
Scripture Reading — Galatians 4:4-7When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son. . . .— Galatians 4:4Christmas can seem like a magical time for children. In our family we have several traditions that our children look forward to at this time of year. Especially when they were younger, it seeme
Scripture Reading — Leviticus 26:14-20, 40-45“For their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors. . . . I am the Lord.”— Leviticus 26:45In Jesus’ parable of the lost son (Luke 15:11-24) we read of a young man who leaves home to seek adventures in wild living. Soon, however, his money r
Scripture Reading — Leviticus 26:1-13“If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops. . . .”— Leviticus 26:3When we are living in a right relationship with God, we can be assured of his blessing and favor. Our tex
Scripture Reading — Leviticus 25:47-55“One of their relatives may redeem them: An uncle or a cousin or any blood relative in their clan may redeem them.”— Leviticus 25:48-49A friend asked, “Why can’t God just forgive our sins without the cross?” Why did Jesus have to suffer and give up his life for
Scripture Reading — Leviticus 25:8-22; Luke 4:16-19“Follow my decrees and be careful to obey my laws, and you will live safely in the land.”— Leviticus 25:18Homelessness is a growing problem in my city, and the causes are many: poverty, addiction, mental illness, poor personal choices, and more. All
