Monthly Archives: December 2023
2355 – The Hidden Glory
Watch the full service on our YouTube channel by clicking here.
Luke 2:1-16 New International Version
The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
2354 – When Angels Speak
Watch the full service on our YouTube channel by clicking here.
Luke 1:26-38 New International Version
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Matthew 1:18-25 New International Version
Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[a]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet[b] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[c] because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”[d] (which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Friday’s Word
The Christmas story is full of angels. But here, in the 21st century, what do we think about them?
Dr. Raymond Elliott was a professor in the music department (after retiring, Professor Emeritus) at Texas Tech.
He saw one—an angel, that is.
His wife had a stroke at age 78. After this, all that she could move was her eyelids. She communicated by blinking her eyes.
Dr. Elliott was her sole caregiver. But after seven long years, he was worn out. He didn’t know how he could go on.
He took this to God: “I don’t know how much longer I can do this.”
When he lifted his head from prayer, he saw a man in the doorway of their bedroom. He was tall. He had to stoop to come into the room.
The man wore blue jeans and work boots. Young, with intense blue eyes.
The visitor crossed the room and sat in a chair near Dr. Elliott and the bed where his wife lay.
“It will be okay,” the man said. “You will be able to go on. It will be only a little longer.”
Then the stranger arose and left through the door he had entered.
Dr. Elliott felt elated—and filled with new energy.
His wife died a few weeks later.
That’s one story.
But it’s one of many.
Thousands, in fact.
I will tell another one on Christmas Eve–just after we read the scripture about those Christmas angels.
It may be time for all of us to open our minds—and our hearts. Life is deeper than we think.
And more wonderful.
Christmas Eve
Candlelight Service
6:00 p.m.
Share it with us.
Max’s Corner
The Christmas Show
A Great Evening
Attendance was excellent, the food was great, and it seems the concert lifted hearts and filled folk with the spirit of Christmas. Thanks to those who made it possible and to those who supported it with their presence. (The fellowship lasted all evening.)
Christmas Eve
Sunday morning, we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent, with Mary preaching.
Sunday evening: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
“The most beautiful service of the year”
6:00 p.m.
My Sermon: “An Ultimate Joy”
See you Sunday.
And—Merry Christmas
God bless—
MB