Micah 5:2-4
Advent 4, Series C
by Pastor Jim Kreft
It seems that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Many people just want to get drunk. “Binge drinking” is increasing on college campuses. More people end up spending hours drinking at bars. And all too many of these folks drink and drive, often with [...]
Zephaniah 3:14-18
Advent 3, Series C
by Pastor Jim Kreft
Presents and parties, cards and cookies, decorations and dinners. These traditions surround the Christmas season. Yet these good traditions are not the reason for the season.
Christmas occurs for one reason: we’re sinners. We do what we want to do. Who cares if God says “Love Me” and “Love [...]
Malachi 3:1-4
For Advent 2, Series C
by Pastor Jim Kreft
Introduction
As we prepare by looking forward to Jesus’ birth at Christmas, it’s also good for us to “look back” at the promises about His birth. If we do this, we can better understand the purpose and meaning of His birth.
Today’s Old Testament lesson comes from the last [...]
Jeremiah 33:14-16
1 Advent C
by Pastor Jim Kreft
What is Advent? First, Advent’s a word. It means “coming” or “arrival.” During Advent we wait for Jesus’ coming at Christmas.
Second, Advent is also a name given to the Church Season before Christmas. Maybe you noticed a change in our church decorations when you entered this morning. The color [...]
Luke 2:6-7
Christmas is a time of gift giving. What are the real gifts God gives through the Christmas story?
In the midst of today’s uncertainties, in the midst of troubles and trials, we have come again to Christmas. Here again God sends God’s most miraculous and unexpected gift: Jesus.
Christmas is not only a time of remembering [...]
The pastor of a country church went to town to make arrangements for a Christmas sign to be placed outside the church. Unfortunately, he forgot the dimensions, so he faxed his wife: “Send motto and size of sign.”
She faxed back: “Unto us a child is born, eight feet long and three feet wide.”
That’s a big [...]
The central miracle asserted by Christians is the Incarnation. They say God became man. Every other miracle prepares for this or exhibits this or results from this
Just as every natural event is the manifestation at a particular place and moment of Nature’s total character, so every particular Christian miracle manifests at a particular place and [...]
It’s difficult to pinpoint when and why Christians first began to use evergreen trees at Christmas. There are many legends and myths regarding the origin of Christmas trees. For example, the ancient Romans brought greenery into their homes in winter to symbolize life in the midst of [...]
Read full post...What makes Christmas “happen” for you? Where does the joy of the season come alive in youIs it in the carols? The celebrations? The candlelight services? The music of the Advent season? Perhaps you find it in the shopping and gift-giving. Maybe you see the love of the season in the sparkling eyes of a [...]
Read full post...The Advent wreath is a symbol of watchfulness and increasing joy as the birth of Jesus approaches. The circular form of the wreath symbolizes eternity or life without end. The candles remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World who brought light and life to a dark world (see John 1:4-5). We light [...]
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