We live in limbo. We live between two appearings. This is a Christmas sermon, this is a Bible study. We explore together an unknown text, seldom associated with the Christmas season. Titus 2:11-14 speaks of the appearing of the grace of God, bringing salvation. The reference is to the coming of Jesus. The same text …
Continue reading “It’s Sunday Again: Christmas–He Appeared (Tit 2)”
Merry Christmas! I blog much less frequently than I did a dozen years ago. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media have large replaced blogging. Nonetheless, for those who read these words, whether on my blog or on social media, I send out a Christmas Day greeting. Now that I no longer preach full-time, many …
I like Christmas! Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. I enjoy the season; I enjoy the festivity. I enjoy the opportunity to revisit an important part of the storyline of Scripture. The Christmas season is misunderstood by many, diminished, even demeaned. Christmas is much larger than the story of baby Jesus. …
Continue reading “It’s Sunday Again: Christmas Resolutions (Luke 2)”
I have been a list-maker for almost as long as I can remember. I find it much easier to maintain priorities and focus. Plus I find that keeping a “to do” list and marking items as accomplished is quite satisfying. In December, I restudy and present some of the great themes of the Nativity narratives. …
Christmas sermons abound in Scripture. An anonymous first-century author reflects the Christmas story when he affirms that “God came near to us and spoke our language” (you can see more details of his affirmation in Hebrews 2). While his focus is on the High Priesthood of Jesus, he affirms two encouraging truths. • In Jesus …
Continue reading “It’s Sunday Again: Christmas–God Came Near (Heb. 2)”
The Christmas story is not told only in the well-known gospel accounts in Matthew and Luke. The Incarnation is foundational to the message of the New Testament. Christmas texts abound throughout Scripture. Consider how Paul recounts the Christmas story in Philippians 2:6-11. Jesus, taking on servanthood, becoming human in form, humbling himself, emptying himself, obedient …
Continue reading “It’s Sunday Again: Christmas–Name Above All Names (Phil. 2)”
As the calendar turns to December 2020, we live in a world we have never known, journeying an unknown highway, doubtful, uncertain. Do you feel the disconnect? To celebrate the themes that customarily surface during the Christmas season — love and joy, peace and hope, we must come to grips with the contrast reality that …
Continue reading “Christmas 2020: Doubt, Fear, Love, Joy, Peace, Hope”
