Read Matthew 1:7-17 Today, we continue with the genealogy of Jesus from David as we follow the “kingly line”. This chart will be helpful. The genealogy of Jesus demonstrates that God’s grace is not inherited but rather “given” as He wills. For example, there are good and bad kings in the ancestry of Christ. Just…….Read More
Read Matthew 1:1-6 Matthew begins the Christmas story with the genealogy of Jesus. This is extremely important because Matthew is writing his gospel to convince the Jews that Jesus of Nazareth was the God-sent Messiah because He fit the two critical requirements. The first one was the Messiah must be from the tribe of Judah……..Read More
Introduction to Matthew’s Gospel – Behold the King Read Matthew 1:1 The four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, are the only indisputable records of the birth, life, ministry, and message of Jesus Christ as the Savior sent from God. The first of the four, Matthew, was written by a man who was also known…….Read More
The Lighting of The Prophecy Candle – (purple) the candle of hope Read Romans 15:12-13 We begin the Christmas season with a review the Old Testament prophecies that foretold the coming of a Savior. In Matthew 1:22-23, the gospel writer said, “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of…….Read More
Advent is a season of waiting, expecting, and hoping. The word “advent” comes from the Latin word “adventus,” which means “coming”. For Christians, celebrating Advent helps to prepare our hearts for the celebration of the “coming” of Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. The Advent Season begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, which…….Read More
“My people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6 Although these words described God’s attitude toward the Israelites in the 7th century B.C., they also describe most Christians today, especially our children and youth. Biblical ignorance is at an all-time high, and parallel to that report is the rise in the disintegration of…….Read More
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The Lighting of The Christ Candle – (white) John 1:29 Our waiting is over – Christmas Day is here. As we relight the three purple candles, and the pink candle, we now celebrate the birth of Christ our Savior and Lord. The first purple candle was the Prophecy candle, the candle of hope. The second…….Read More
The Lighting of the Angel Candle – (purple) the candle of love John 3:16-17 As we re-light the two purple candles and the pink candle, we remember the meaning of Advent is “coming” or “visit”! We are preparing for the Advent of Christ at Christmas, walking through those historical steps, and taking our time to…….Read More
Read Matthew 2:19-21 When Herod died, God called Joseph to bring Jesus back to Israel. So, Joseph and Mary loaded the donkey again, and moved to Nazareth, where Jesus lived until He began His ministry. Everyone in the Christmas story had to decide what to do about the Messiah who had come. While they certainly…….Read More
Read Matthew 2:16-18 When the Magi didn’t return to tell Herod where they had found the new-born King, Herod was furious. He was so filled with anger and rage, he ordered all the baby boys, age two and under, living in or near Bethlehem to be killed. Since he couldn’t find out which baby was…….Read More