“Have you ever wondered what the true magic of Christmas Eve really is? Join us this Christmas Eve to discover the heartwarming story of Luke 2:1-20, where the timeless tale of Jesus’ birth unfolds under a starlit sky in Bethlehem. This special service is more than just a tradition; it’s a journey back in time to capture the essence of the moment. It’s a perfect opportunity to pause and reflect on the profound reason why we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Sometimes, characters from nativity displays go missing. Unfortunately, nativity theft is a common crime. Can you guess which character is stolen the most? The baby Jesus is the character that’s most frequently stolen. In that case, we ask the question, where is Jesus? That’s a great question to ask during Christmas Eve worship. Has Jesus gone missing from our lives?
Sometimes, characters from nativity displays go missing. Unfortunately, nativity theft is a common crime. Can you guess which character is stolen the most? The baby Jesus is the character that’s most frequently stolen. In that case, we ask the question, where is Jesus? That’s a great question to ask during Christmas Eve worship. Has Jesus gone missing from our lives?
The Nativity story could generate some captivating headlines because God is challenging the world to change. Mary’s Magnificat is somewhat revolutionary. There have been times in history when governments have banned the reading of Mary’s Magnificat for fear it might stir up the people they are oppressing. What headlines do we see in Mary’s words?
There are times when we may feel isolated. A husband’s life is empty because his wife died. A person might lack friends, community, or a social network. We might feel distanced from our spouse. God knows some of us struggle with feelings of desperate loneliness. That’s why the thought that Jesus is Emmanuel, “God with us,” is a powerful theological concept. In this message, we explore how Jesus’ arrival as a baby transforms our life and brings us comfort.
Christmas brings blessed gifts that never wear out or become passé. Consider what each of the Christmas characters demonstrates in their lives.
Every parent knows the frustration of buying Christmas gifts that sit unused while the empty boxes become the child’s source of joy. That expensive gift you put a lot of thought into for your loved one is now set aside and forgotten. The toy that your child yearned for over the months is suddenly left sitting in the corner unused. What is the most incredible thank you the giver can receive? It is seeing the gift becomes a regular part of the recipient’s life. As Christians, during Christmas, we know we celebrate the gift of Jesus coming into the world. And we realize that the most significant way we can show our thanks is by availing ourselves of that gift. How might God’s gift to us affect our daily lives?
When you throw a party, one of the first things you do is make up a guest list. The list would be about whom to include and whom not to include. God’s list of guests consists of some surprising people. God invited the lowest on the social ladder and welcomed the prominent and wise. That’s God’s idea of a party.
What are your Christmas traditions? Do you put up a Christmas tree? Do you give gifts? Do you have a gathering of family and friends on Christmas day? Have you ever noticed what we leave out of our Christmas traditions? For example, we generally leave King Herod out of our nativity set because we see him as the story’s villain. Yet as the villain, he helps us understand who we should be in contrast.
When it comes to the Christmas story, Joseph is the man in the shadows. He is often forgotten and almost invisible. So why do we need Joseph? When Mary tells Joseph that she is pregnant by the Holy Spirit, this news hits him like a ton of bricks. Mary’s pregnancy creates a serious dilemma for him. How he handles this crisis explains why he is essential to the story.