The Birth of Christ

From the series: Standalone Messages

The Magi in Matthew 20 were willing to sacrifice much in their desire to meet Jesus. They traveled for over a year to meet Him and presented Him with costly gifts. What are we willing to sacrifice to meet Jesus?

From the series: Standalone Messages

A special Christmas message about our Savior.

From the series: Standalone Messages

Today we are examining Luke 2 and three events that took place after the birth of Jesus and what they mean to us now as believers in Him.

From the series: Light the Dark

Explores John 1 to understand Jesus' identity and significance. It emphasizes Jesus as the eternal Word, God in the flesh, and the light piercing the darkness. Highlights the importance of recognizing Jesus' divine nature and His role in creation and salvation. It connects Jesus' coming to Old Testament prophecies and stresses His unique relationship with the Father.

From the series: Christmas 2018

Delves into the deeper meaning of Christmas, using the story of Jesus' early life and the biblical Exodus narrative. It highlights God's persistent pursuit of a faithful relationship with humanity, despite human waywardness. Draws parallels between Jesus' life and the Exodus, underscoring themes of faithfulness, redemption, and God's unchanging love. It invites reflection on the significance of Jesus' birth and the transformative power of God's love in the midst of human brokenness.

From the series: Christmas 2018

Focuses on discovering God's presence and guidance in the midst of life's challenges and chaos. It emphasizes the idea that even in times of trouble or confusion, one can find spiritual direction and comfort. Draws on the Christmas story to illustrate how God often works in unexpected and seemingly disordered situations, encouraging faith and trust in God's plan during difficult times.

From the series: Christmas 2018

Explores the true meaning of Christmas beyond material gifts. It reflects on personal anecdotes and biblical narratives to illustrate how Christmas represents God's pursuit of humanity and the gift of grace through Jesus Christ. Emphasizes the importance of understanding and accepting this gift, highlighting how grace can transform lives. Encourages embracing a lifestyle that acknowledges and celebrates the true essence of Christmas every day, beyond the seasonal festivities.

From the series: Christmas 2018

Explores the presence of God in times of difficulty. It uses the Christmas story to discuss God's closeness and our perception of His presence in various life circumstances. Emphasizes the importance of faith and understanding God's nature, especially in challenging times. It encourages us to find comfort and guidance in God drawing near to humanity, particularly during the holiday season and in personal struggles.

From the series: Standalone Messages

Discusses the challenges faced during the holiday season, especially for those enduring adversity. It reflects on the first Christmas, illustrating how even in less than ideal circumstances, there can be hope. It encourages finding hope in adversity and emphasizes the need to understand and apply the truth, particularly during difficult times.

From the series: Christmas 2016

Explores the theme of hope in the context of the Christmas story. It emphasizes that hope is not just wishful thinking but a confident expectation rooted in faith. Highlights how Jesus, as the high priest, understands and sympathizes with human weaknesses, providing a foundation for hope regardless of life's circumstances. It encourages drawing near to God with confidence to receive mercy and grace, emphasizing the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus for enduring hope.

From the series: Christmas 2016

Discusses the essence of peace in the Christmas story. It explores how Jesus' arrival represents peace and reconciliation between God and humanity. Highlights how Jesus, as the Prince of Peace, fulfills prophecies and brings a peace that is deeply needed by the soul. Emphasizes the importance of peace in the Christian faith and how Jesus' birth is central to this theme, bridging divides and bringing hope and restoration.

From the series: Christmas 2016

Focuses on the significance of Christmas and its impact on personal faith. It discusses the importance of incorporating Christ-centered traditions in family celebrations, recognizing the holiday as an opportunity to awaken and redirect hearts towards God. Explores how Christmas traditions shape personal and familial identity, emphasizing the need to focus on Christ in these traditions for true spiritual enrichment.

From the series: Standalone Messages

Discusses overcoming fear to embrace God's plan, focusing on Joseph's initial fear about Mary's pregnancy. It emphasizes trust in God over fear of societal judgment, highlighting Joseph's decision to accept Mary and the divine nature of Jesus' conception.

From the series: Standalone Messages

Explores the significance of worship during the Christmas season, focusing on the story of the wise men, Mary, and the shepherds. It emphasizes the importance of worship as the core of Christmas, highlighting how these biblical figures worshiped Jesus despite their different backgrounds.

From the series: Standalone Messages

Highlights the Biblical significance of Bethlehem, focusing on its role in God’s redemption plan, as illustrated through the story of Ruth and Boaz, leading up to Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. It emphasizes the importance of faithfulness, redemption, and God’s sovereignty, encouraging believers to keep Christ at the center of their lives, especially during the Christmas season.

From the series: Christmas Collision

Discusses Jesus as the Good Shepherd who seeks out the lost, emphasizing the individual worth of every soul. It highlights the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, comparing this to earthly celebrations of found possessions.

From the series: Christmas Collision

Emphasizes Jesus's mission to destroy sin and the devil's work, providing life and reconciliation with God, stressing God's patience and desire for all to repent and be saved.

From the series: Christmas Collision

Discusses the historical and symbolic significance of the Tabernacle in biblical times, emphasizing its role as a dwelling place of God. The Tabernacle was structured into two rooms, with strict entry limitations to symbolize the holiness of God's presence.

From the series: Isaiah 9:6

Explores the title given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6, emphasizing His eternal commitment and role as a protective, loving, and enduring father figure, bringing hope and comfort to believers, especially those who feel abandoned or fatherless. It highlights God's unchanging nature and everlasting presence, providing a spiritual foundation for understanding His fatherly role beyond human imperfections.

From the series: Christmas

Reflects on the unexpected and often challenging circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus. It highlights how God chose humble and unlikely individuals, like Mary and Joseph, to fulfill His plan. Their story underscores that even in messy situations, God's presence and purpose prevail. By embracing the messiness of life and trusting in God's plan, believers can find hope and meaning.

From the series: Christmas

Explores the profound significance of Jesus' birth. It emphasizes that Jesus is the incarnate God, Creator, and Savior, whose coming transformed the world. The message urges believers to deeply understand and appreciate the true meaning of Christmas beyond the familiar story, recognizing Jesus as the divine being who humbled Himself to become human for the salvation of mankind.

From the series: Christmas

Explores the true meaning of Christmas, emphasizing the significance of Jesus' birth. It highlights how traditions can sometimes overshadow the holiday's essence. Encourages simplifying the celebration to focus on the good news of Jesus' coming, His love, and the joy He brings. By recognizing the transformative power of Christ's arrival, believers are called to celebrate Christmas with gratitude, worship, and a deeper understanding of God's love.

From the series: Unbelievable Christmas

Highlights the significance of celebrating Christmas as a time to remember Jesus' sacrifice and His gift of salvation. It emphasizes the importance of worshiping Jesus, reflecting on the stories of Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, and Joseph, and understanding the transformative nature of Christ's love.

From the series: Unbelievable Christmas

Discusses the complexities of Christmas and emphasizes the true meaning of the holiday: God's gift of Jesus to humanity. It highlights the grace and love inherent in this gift, contrasting it with the commercial pressures of the season. Encourages embracing the spiritual significance of Christmas, focusing on God's grace and the joy of receiving Jesus as the ultimate gift.

From the series: Unbelievable Christmas

Explores the theme of "an unbelievable journey" beginning with God's promise in Genesis 3:15. It highlights the Old Testament prophecies leading to Jesus' birth, emphasizing God's plan for a Messiah. Key prophecies from Genesis, Deuteronomy, Micah, and Isaiah are discussed, showing the fulfillment of God's promise through the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, Judah, and David, culminating in Jesus' birth.

From the series: Unbelievable Christmas

Discusses the uncommon and miraculous events surrounding the birth of Jesus. It starts with the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, highlighting their faith and God's message delivered by the angel Gabriel. Emphasizes God's plan, the fulfillment of prophecies, and the importance of faith during the Christmas season.

From the series: Believe

Continues the exploration of key Christian beliefs, focusing on the significance of God's pursuit of humanity, culminating in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes that Jesus' coming was foretold throughout the Old Testament, and His birth, life, death, and resurrection fulfill these prophecies.

From the series: Advent

Focuses on the theme of Christmas as a time for deep, transformative faith, rather than simply marveling at God. It encourages believers to move beyond mere admiration of Jesus and embrace a genuine relationship with Him, allowing faith to reshape their lives through trust, obedience, and growth, even in the face of trials.

From the series: Advent

Emphasizes the theme of God's ability to accomplish great things through humble beginnings, using the example of Jesus' birth. It highlights how the small gift of Christ, born in a manger, demonstrates God's power to bring about extraordinary miracles through ordinary means, encouraging believers to trust in God's ability to work through their lives regardless of their perceived insignificance. The Christmas story is ultimately about God's presence with us and the miraculous potential in surrendering to Him.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. A devotion on John 1:14 and the staggering wonder of the incarnation.

The real Saint Nicholas was a bold believer who stood for Christ when it was dangerous. The true story behind the Santa Claus we know today.

That candy cane has a surprising backstory. How a simple Christmas treat came to point children toward the shepherds and the Christ child.

Why do we haul a pine tree indoors every December? A look at the murky history behind the Christmas tree and what it can still point us to.

Why do we crown our trees with a star or an angel each year? The tradition traces straight back to the night Jesus was born.

If you were sent to America from a foreign land, you may have to search hard to discover that Christmas is about Christ. You may figure out that Christmas relates to Jesus, but it is not all about…

Believers have celebrated Christ's birth since the early church. A look back at the closing words of a Christmas sermon preached in the 4th century.