Podcasts about Advent

In this episode, Christmas legend is separated from biblical truth. Were the visitors to Jesus really kings? Or were they Magi, astrologers, or something else entirely? Were there actually three of them or just three named gifts? Did they even come to the manger or years later? We'll explore what Scripture does and doesn't say about the Magi, the timing of their visit, the meaning of their gifts, and why Matthew highlights these mysterious Gentile seekers. Guest pastor and host tackle common misconceptions and discover how important this oft-misunderstood detail of Christ's nativity is.  The Rev. Roger Mullet, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Buffalo, WY, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to talk about the wise men who visited Jesus, and separate truth from myth.  To learn more about Prince of Peace, visit princeofpeacebuffalo.org. This Advent series begins by covering the last Old Testament prophet, Malachi, and then spends twelve episodes alternating between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment, tracing God's promises from Isaiah to the birth of Christ. The series explores Emmanuel's promise, the Davidic King, John the Baptist as forerunner, and reaches its climax with the Nativity. The final episodes examine the Suffering Servant, the shadow of the cross in Christ's infancy, Isaiah's Messianic mission statement, and John's declaration that "the Word became flesh."  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

The Advent Of The Word / Isaiah 11:1, 7:14; Micah 5:2; Isaiah 60:3 / Jonathan Haefs

The Advent Of The Word / Christmas Eve Homily / Jonathan Haefs

Welcome to Day 2769 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2769– A Baby at Our Age - Get Serious! Luke 1:5-25 Putnam Church Message – 11/30/2025 Luke's Account of the Good News “A Baby at our Age? Get Serious!” – First Sunday of Advent   Last week, we began a year-long study of Luke's Narrative of the Good News in a message titled: “Only the Best -A Gospel of Excellence: Thanksgiving for the Truth.” This week is the first Sunday of Advent as we build anticipation of the coming Messiah. Today's passage is the beginning of a story titled: “A Baby at our Age? Get Serious!” “HOPE IN THE SILENCE — GOD STILL SPEAKS” Our Core verses for this week will be Luke 1:5-25, found on page 1587 of your Pew Bibles. The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold 5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. 8 Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” 19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” 21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but...

✨ God Keeps His WordPromise Fulfilled: The Coming of Christ | Advent SeriesChristmas is more than a moment—it is proof that God keeps every promise. In this powerful Advent message, we walk through the story of Mary, Joseph, and Bethlehem to see how God fulfilled centuries of prophecy through surrender, obedience, and faith.From a quiet “yes” to a humble manger, this message reminds us that God comes near, God saves, and God never forgets what He has spoken. If you are coming out of a long waiting season, this word is for you—darkness does not get the final say. Light has already come.The manger declares it clearly:He came for you.He came to save.He came to fulfill every promise.

Oliver Wong Citylights Church is a non-denominational church located in Greenville, SC, that exists to be followers of Jesus devoted to Building Family, Blessing Neighbors, and Bringing Good News to the Nations.

Check out KINDLE's Advent Devotional series, highlighting portions of Holden's Evening Prayer and strands, practices and outcomes that help us live as Christ-like Servant Leaders.Beth Counts shares her reflection on Epiphany through Numbers 6:24-26. How might prayer become more like breathing to you? Check out all KINDLE practices here.  Check out all the devotions on KINDLE's Youtube Channel.Happy Epiphany! Connect with us! Instagram: @emilyphoenix or @kindle_social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KINDLEServantLeaders If you have a question to ask or story to share about one of this season's topics, we would love to hear from you. Send an email to emily.phoenix@kindleservantsleaders.org and we will share it along the way! Download episode discussion guides at: https://www.kindleservantleaders.org/podcast/

Advent is meant to reawaken hope-but not the fragile, uncertain kind we often mean when we say, "I hope." In our modern Western context, hope usually sounds like wishful thinking-something we desire but can't depend on. The bible speaks of hope very differently. What if hope was not meant to be an afterthought, but something like the engine of our lives?CITY CHURCH EXISTS TO HELP PEOPLE FIND THEIR WAY TO GOD FROM WHERE THEY ARE. You can find us here: www.citychurchboulder.com www.facebook.com/citychurchboulder www.instagram.com/citychurchboulder

It's just Andrew and Frank to kick off the new year, which means fewer voices and even less structure. Andrew spent the break in Arkansas, proving once again that Christmas travel builds character… or at least patience. Frank preached at a local church in that strange, timeless week between Christmas and New Year's, then jumped right back in yesterday by launching a brand-new vision series at Lakeview. Oh, and somewhere in the middle of all that officially came off staff at Lakeview. Because January waits for no one.At Safety Harbor, Andrew restarted the Gospel of John after a five-week Christmas and Advent pause, which feels a bit like trying to remember where you left off in a really long Netflix series. We spend some time recapping Advent, Christmas services, lessons learned, and what it feels like to go from “Silent Night” straight back into ordinary time.It's the first episode of the year, full of reflection, reset energy, and the quiet realization that ministry does not actually slow down just because the calendar flips.

1 Peter 1:11:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia...John 1:35-421:35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).Luke 5:1-115:1 On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

This is a special episode of For the Good of the Public, cross-posted with "Conversing with Mark Labberton." https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conversing-with-mark-labberton/id1161564408 Can joy be anything but denial in a rage-filled public life? Michael Wear joins Mark Labberton to reframe politics through the kingdom logic of hope, agency, and practices of silence and solitude. As 2025 closes amid political discord, we might all ask whether joy can be real in public life—without denial, escapism, or contempt. "… Joy is a pervasive and constant sense of wellbeing." In this conversation, Michael Wear and Mark Labberton reflect on joy, hope, responsibility, and agency amid a reaction-driven politics. Together they discuss the realism of Advent; the limits of our control; how kingdom imagination reframes anger; hope beyond outcomes, dignity under threat, and practices (including silence and solitude) that restore clarity. About Michael Wear Michael Wear is the Founder, President, and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, a nonpartisan nonprofit that contends for the credibility of Christian resources in public life, for the public good. He has served for more than a decade as a trusted advisor to civic and religious leaders on faith and public life, including as a presidential campaign and White House staffer. He is the author of The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life and Reclaiming Hope: Lessons Learned in the Obama White House About the Future of Faith in America. Learn more and follow at https://www.michaelwear.com. Helpful Links and Resources Michael Wear, The Spirit of Our Politics https://www.zondervan.com/9780310367239/the-spirit-of-our-politics/ Michael Wear, Reclaiming Hope https://www.thomasnelson.com/9780718082338/reclaiming-hope/ Center for Christianity and Public Life https://www.ccpubliclife.org/ A National Call to Silence and Solitude https://www.silenceandsolitude.org/ Dallas Willard: "Personal Soul Care" https://dwillard.org/resources/articles/personal-soul-care Howard Thurman, Jesus and the Disinherited https://www.beacon.org/Jesus-and-the-Disinherited-P1781.aspx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Confession: we've never really paid that much attention to Epiphany. After the wonder and festivities of Advent and Christmas, this liturgical season can often get overlooked. But that changes today! In this very average discussion, we get back to our roots: "definition time"! We share what we know about the three wise men (it's not much), learn about Epiphany traditions (why chalk on the door?), and discuss the significance of the lectionary readings that connect these first few weeks of the year. We hope this episode inspires you to hang a paper star and get out your chalk! Can't get enough of the Average Episcopalian? Visit our webiste & shop for merch: theaverageepiscopalian.com Follow us on Instagram: @average.episcopalian Sign up for our monthly Substack newsletter: averageepiscopalian.substack.com More questions? Send us an email: average.episcopalian@gmail.com

The Great Rosary Campaign is an ongoing prayer and penance campaign for the conversion and strengthening of both Catholic and non-Catholic leaders.For the last 4 weeks, and in this final week—going through Advent, Christmas, and heading into the New Year—we are praying for the conversion of various tech leaders who are spearheading AI. We are also praying that, alongside any potential benefits that may come from AI, the evil that may result from it may be mitigated for the sake of the salvation of souls.THIS WEEK of the Great Rosary Campaign, we will pray for the conversion of Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google.Since we are now in the season of Christmas and Epiphany, we suggest a Holy Hour before the Holy Eucharist for Altman's conversion.In these dark times, we must fight evil with the most powerful weapons we have. The Rosary is foremost among them. Join the Great Rosary Campaign today at: www.GreatRosaryCampaign.com.Countless Saints and Popes have told us that the Rosary is incredibly powerful for three things in particular:Keeping the FaithMoral renovationConversions of non-CatholicsThe Great Rosary Campaign is also based on several biblical themes and principles.First, PRAY FOR OUR BRETHREN. “Pray for one another…” (Jas. 5:16). “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Gal. 6:10).Second, PRAY FOR OUR ENEMIES. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 5:43-44).Third, PRAY FOR ALL MEN, PARTICULARLY LEADERS AND THOSE IN AUTHORITY. “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, or kings and all who are in high positions…” (1 Tim. 2:1-2).Fourth, GOING INTO BATTLE WITH THE ARK. When the ancient Israelites came to Jericho, God didn't tell them to besiege the city. Instead, He told them to march around it with the Ark of the Covenant seven times, and on the seventh the walls would fall. We will now "march" in prayer for seven days with the New Ark of the Covenant, Our Lady, through the Rosary. We pray in hope that on the seventh day, a day especially devoted to Our Lady (Saturday), extraordinary graces of conversion will be given to those we are praying for.Fifth, EVANGELISM AND APOLOGETICS = LOVE + ARGUMENTS + PRAYER + PENANCE. Ultimately it is God who reveals Himself to a soul, and empowers them to say "yes" to Him by His grace. He chooses to use us, but He does not have to. We must remember that as we evangelize and defend the Faith, our arguments will be fruitless unless informed by love (charity), and reinforced by prayer and penance.Sixth, RETURNING GOOD FOR EVIL. “Do not return evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing" (1 Pet. 3:9).Sign up to take part in the Great Rosary Campaign today: www.GreatRosaryCampaign.com

A sermon in our Advent series "Face to Face."Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Nat and Linny are back. It's a chance to chat over the last few weeks, and look forward through the January blues with a bit of sunshine and silliness. Enjoy! xx Please subscribe, follow, and leave a review. xxx You can find us in all places here; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podfollow.com/lifewithnat/view⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We're on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/lifewithnatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Nat's insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natcass1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Marc's insta: ⁠@camera_marc⁠ Neice's insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natsnieces⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tony's insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@tonycass68⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Linny's insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@auntielinny.lwn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ MORE LIVE SHOW! 07/02/2026 Brighton, The Forge ⁠TICKETS⁠ 08/02/2026 Newcastle upon Tyne, The Stand ⁠TICKETS⁠ 25/02/2026 Folkestone, Quarterhouse ⁠TICKETS⁠ 28/02/2026 Colchester, Arts Centre ⁠TICKETS⁠ 07/03/2026 Manchester, Fairfield Social Club ⁠TICKETS⁠ 22/03/2026 Leeds, The Wardrobe ⁠TICKETS⁠ 29/03/2026 Bristol, The Gaffe - ⁠TICKETS⁠ Book Club: November's book - All Together for Christmas by Sarah Morgan & December's book (optional extra for the speedy readers) - A Heart for Christmas: Advent Romance by Sophie Jomain Nat's solo chats - any rants always welcome!  Scraping the Barrel - SCAN AND SHOP VIRGIN NO LONGER! Bonce vs list! - Are you a list maker? Always collecting for Nostalgia Fest! What's brewing with the Nieces - are we all skipping the end of summer, all of autumn and going straight to Christmas - Nat's door is! Group chat ettiquette & pranks. Nice Lorraines… get in touch! Advent calendars & gift recommendations v. welcome! Things we're nagging with Linny about - More lateness stories and some cleaning questions, please! The Tony talks chatter - Keep your DIY questions coming, also open to some saucy two paragraph stories for Tony to read out at the Southend show - think cheeky postcards (both in tone and length)! Can we make Tony an influencer and get him any freebies?  TBC Cultural differences ep - inspired by Linny's Mediterranean heritage and her & Ellia's Italian trip, we'd love to hear about the cultural differences you've noticed between the UK and basically ANYWHERE else!  A 'Keep It Light Media' Production Sales, advertising, and general enquiries: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hello@keepitlightmedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we reach the 12th Day of Christmas, the question isn't how much we celebrated — it's whether we've changed. This Peace on Earth reflection looks back to the beginning of Advent and asks: Have prayer, repentance, and time with the Lord actually shaped us? Or are we the same today as we were on November 30? Our faith is full of “re” words: repent, return, renew, rejoice Each one is an invitation to begin again. If you've changed — praise God. If you haven't — today is still a beautiful day to return. As we prepare to celebrate Epiphany, may we present our hearts honestly to the Lord and allow Him to keep transforming us. Happy 12th Day of Christmas.   #PeaceOnEarth #AdventReflection #ChristmasSeason #12DaysofChristmas

Advent: ChristDave Goffeney | December 24, 2025Redemption Tucson Church

This week at our Perdido Key Campus, Senior Pastor Kyle Valaer continues our Advent series- “Cradle to Crown.”  We hope this resource is a blessing to you. For more information about The Point Church, please visit us online at www.tothepoint.church.Takeaways:• God Protects His Promises• God Knows Your Hardship• God Overcomes Our Suffering

Guest speaker Tim Imber continues our 2025 series in our first sunday gathering of 2026. Due a snowsotrm, his message originally intended for December was preached on January 4, 2026 and he discusses Mary and Joseph and their willingness to follow God's plan even when it was difficult.

Pastor Dominic continues our Advent series in the Gospel of Luke, preaching from Luke 2:22–35. In this message, he looks at Simeon's faithful waiting, the fulfillment of God's promises in Jesus, and the prophetic declaration that Christ is both the salvation of the nations and the dividing line of every human heart. Learn more about Maple Plain Community Church at mapleplaincc.org.

He Shall Be Called, Part 5 Pastor Markus Witherspoon December 24, 2025 In the final week of Advent, Pastor Markus Witherspoon of Newbreak Church Tierrasanta Campus will lead us in reflecting on the powerful names of Jesus that reveal the heart of God for us. In his sermon, "He Shall Be Called," Pastor Markus will highlight the significance of these names as more than just titles—they are the keys to understanding who Jesus is and what He came to do. As we approach Christmas, this message invites us to move beyond the nostalgia of the season and embrace the deep, personal revelation of God's love and purpose, made flesh in Christ. It's a call to open our hearts to the Savior whose arrival changes everything, not just for that first Christmas, but for our lives today. About this Sermon Series This Advent, we're turning our hearts toward the promise of a Savior—one whose name changes everything. “He shall be called” points us to some of the beautiful names of God revealed in Jesus. Each name pulls back the curtain on who He is and what He came to do. As we prepare for Christmas, we'll see that the story of His coming is more than nostalgia—it's the revelation of God's heart, up close and personal, in Christ, for us, today.

Join us for "Profiles of Advent" A discussion of Matthew 2:19-23 with Dr. Matt Homeyer from the sermon series A Weary World Rejoices. This episode aired on January 4th, 2026.

Rev. Tyler Heston Wolf

Rev. Dr. Eric Park

Rev. Dr. Eric Park

This week, as we begin a new year, we are also beginning a new message series. On the Christian calendar, the year begins with Advent and Christmas. Next comes Epiphany, a season that focuses on Jesus being made known to the world. In this series we'll explore the stories associated with this season, and also other stories of “Epiphany moments” in the Bible. This week Josh introduces the idea of Epiphany and invites us to see God as a verb, not just a noun. ⛪️ To learn more about who we are and what we do, visit https://gracepointe.net/about-us

We wrap up our Advent series by looking at the hymn O Holy Night. Though it was written by unexpected authors, it beautifully proclaims the reality that on this most holy night, our Savior came to earth.

In this message from Luke 17:1–19, we walk step by step with Jesus and discover what genuine discipleship looks like in everyday life. As we return to the Gospels following Advent, Jesus invites us to examine faith that walks, forgiveness that releases, service that humbles, and gratitude that returns. Jesus teaches us that: • Offenses will come, but we must guard our influence so we never become a stumbling block to another's faith. • Forgiveness is not optional, even when it's costly—because grace frees us from bitterness. • Faith isn't about quantity, but about who our faith rests in—even mustard-seed faith can uproot deep roots of resentment. • Serving God is not about entitlement, but joyful obedience flowing from already being accepted in Christ. The chapter culminates in the powerful story of the ten lepers—ten healed, but only one who returned in gratitude. While many received physical healing, only one experienced something greater: salvation. Gratitude turned healing into relationship. This message reminds us that: • Obedience often comes before the miracle • Grace is received, not earned • True worship flows from gratitude, not convenience • Faith that saves is faith that returns to Jesus As we journey toward Easter, this teaching calls us to live as forgiven people—quick to forgive, willing to obey, eager to serve, and always returning in gratitude to the feet of Jesus. “Your faith has saved you.” Sermon Date: January 4, 2026 Speaker: Pastor Landon Churchill ComeToFreedom.com

In Part 4 of our Advent series entitled Lo(w) and Behold, Pastor David teaches through Zechariah's song in Luke 1:66-80.Today's Message Text: Luke 1:66-80 Thanks for listening in to The Ridge's Sunday Audio podcast! Although we hope you are greatly blessed by listening to this message, we also believe it's important to belong to a local body of believers. If you live in our area, we would love to worship with you on Sunday mornings at 8:00a, 9:30a, or 11:15a!

God's promises--and His love!

The Reverend James Hawkey explores the gifts the Magi brought to Jesus, and asks what we might lay at Christ's feet in this new year.     This reflection for the Feast of the Epiphany is the last of a series of reflections from the seasons of Advent and Christmas. To explore other reflections from the season, visit our website at www.westminster-abbey.org/christmas/

 Go to sermon webpage: LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Advent and Eternal Hope

Pastor Andrew continues our advent study as he preaches on Zechariah 9:9. 

Synopsis: The Logos became flesh that he might be “bruisable” and taste death for everyone, thereby destroying the power of death, the devil and serve as a merciful and faithful high priest to His restored humanity. Sermon Text: Hebrews 2:5-18

NADAR'S BALLOON AND THE BIRTH OF PHOTOGRAPHY Colleague Anika Burgess, Flashes of Brilliance. In 1863, the photographer Nadar undertook a perilous ascent in a giant balloon to fund experiments for heavier-than-air flight, illustrating the adventurous spirit required of early photographers. This era began with Daguerre's 1839 introduction of the daguerreotype, a process involving highly dangerous chemicals like mercury and iodine to create unique, mirror-like images on copper plates. Pioneers risked their lives using explosive materials to capture reality with unprecedented clarity and permanence. NUMBER 1 1870 siege of the Paris Commune.

Nelson finishes our Advent sermon series, "God of All Comfort", with a sermon from Revelation 22:1-5. (December 28, 2025)

Advent has brought us to the birth of Christ, the celebration of Christ with us, but even after his arrival the Scriptures tell us that all is still not as it should be.   Christ has come, and He will come again, but we still live with the reality of suffering. The Scriptures call us to usher in the kingdom of God with our beautiful, suffering Savior. We don't live for an ideal experience, we live for a person - in joy and in suffering. We know that faith pleases God so we do not shrink back when suffering comes. Our true joy comes from communion with him.  There is always beauty to be found, because Christ has made himself available to us.

Matthew 25:31-46 Part VI of the Advent Sermon Series "Once Upon an Advent" Sermon by the Rev. Ben Brannan from the First Sunday of Christmas, December 28, 2025. "There is a temptation to sentimentalize the Christmas season—to wrap it in nostalgia and soft lighting and comforting music. But Jesus won't let us do that because Christmas has consequences. Christmas, at its heart, is the declaration that God has chosen to be found not in power, but in presence. Not in domination, but in dignity. Not in abstraction, but in flesh and blood. If God has truly taken on human flesh, then every human body matters. Every person is an image bearer. Every life carries divine weight. "The Word became flesh—and that flesh looks like you and me and the neighbor who needs help today. This is not an easy truth. It disrupts our assumptions about who is deserving and who is not. It challenges the narratives we tell ourselves about poverty, incarceration, addiction, immigration, and illness. Jesus does not ask us to decide whether the person who is hungry earned their hunger or the person in prisoner earned their sentence. He simply says, 'That's where I am.'" Read the manuscripts of our latest sermons at: https://www.spres.org/worship/sermons/

“There is a mysterious interplay between silence and time. Waiting in silence is the essential condition for experiencing the passage of time as gift, not as a threat.” — Thomas Merton For some, the holiday season overflows with activity and expectation; for others, it highlights a sense of introspection and quiet. Both can be comforting, and both can feel overwhelming. How we experience time — whether in busyness or in stillness — has the potential to create within us a sense of constriction or expansion. In these contrasting experiences, the spaces in between invite us to know the place within ourselves that is always luminous, forever undiminished, and eternally revealing Divine perfection. Here, in the quiet center of our being, Divine Love is not something we reach for but something that meets us. In this Advent week of Love, we remember that this inner spaciousness is often the quiet doorway through which Love reveals itself — not through circumstance, but through Presence.

In Unity, Advent is a season of inner preparation--not about waiting for something outside of us to change, but about awakening to the divine light already present within. The talk will explore Advent as a living, personal journey of transformation: how moments of breakdown can become sacred doorways to hope, faith, joy, and love when we turn inward and choose conscious change.

Peter Herbeck is the Vice President and Director of Missions for Renewal Ministries. Peter oversees the work of lay mission teams throughout the world who work to equip Catholic lay people, bishops, priests, and religious to respond to Blessed Pope John Paul II's call for a new evangelization. He has traveled extensively in the U.S., Canada, Africa, and Eastern Europe for the past thirty years, assisting and training local churches in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and ministering through the exercise of spiritual gifts.  In this episode, Peter continues his reflections on the Season of Advent, as well as the coming of Christ at Christmas.Fire On the Earth Airs weekdays at 5am and 2pm Pacific Time go to Spiritfilledevents.com you can also get our free app for your Android and Apple devices. Search Spirit Filled Radio to access our radio app. Support the show

Pastor Jordan finishes our Advent season with a Christmas Eve message about Love.

Our world tells us that love should always be easy and stress-free, but is it possible that God's love for us—true love—could lead to disruption and discomfort? In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses love, the theme of Advent's fourth week. We have a variety of mistaken notions about love, but we can go to God's Word to understand the truth about this topic. Pastor Allen teaches from three stories—humanity's fall in the Garden of Eden, Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, and Jesus' death on the cross—to show how our Lord's best for us can often look like boundaries, disappointment, and hardship. But through our obedience and by His love, God will faithfully transform us into something better.

Our attitudes and outlooks can impact our lives significantly, so maintaining our God-given joy is essential. But how do we maintain joy? In this sermon covering the third week of Advent, Pastor Allen Jackson shares three steps we can take to keep our joy intact, and he teaches about the impacts joy has on perseverance, especially through suffering. Like hope that needs a foundation to rest on, joy requires upkeep, and we can practice that through familiarity with God's Word, listening to God's voice, and being in godly community. Holidays can be painful, but we can have lasting joy even through suffering, because our joy is made complete through our willingness to persevere in faith.

In our next-to-last episode of 2025, Tim, Jon, and BibleProject CEO, Steve Atkinson, review all the resources we released this year, while reflecting on the bigger worldwide movement of people reading the Bible as a unified story that leads to Jesus. The guys then share about some of what's coming up next for BibleProject in 2026.TIMESTAMPSGratitude for Our Mission (0:00-4:08)New “One Story That Leads to Jesus” Reading Plan (4:08-9:01)A Year Studying Themes From Exodus (9:01-16:15)How the Bible Was Formed and the Deuterocanon / Apocrypha (16:15-17:53)The Bigger Movement of Reading the Bible as One Story (17:53-27:34)2025 Classroom Releases (27:34-30:02)2025 Updates to the BibleProject App (30:02-31:58)Ten Years of the BibleProject Podcast (31:58-33:09)What Are We Releasing in 2026? (33:09-38:38)Gratitude for Our Volunteers, Prayer Team, and Patrons (38:38-45:01)OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPTView this episode's official transcript.REFERENCED RESOURCESSubscribe to the “One Story That Leads to Jesus” annual reading plan on The Bible App by YouVersion.Check out our 2025 collections of resources! Each has a video, podcast series, scholar-written guide, reading plan, and group study.The MountainThe Exodus WayRedemptionThe WildernessListen to the 2025 podcast series How the Bible Was Formed.Watch the 2025 overview video series on The Deuterocanon / Apocrypha.Listen to the 2025 Advent podcast series.Check out OneStory, a creative nonprofit that develops free Bible studies, lessons, and homeschool curricula—all featuring BibleProject resources.See how Streetlights has localized BibleProject videos for their audience.Watch or listen to the final installment of our Genesis Classroom series, Joseph. Also check out the second installment of the Gospel of Matthew Classroom series, The Messianic Torah, which focuses on the Sermon on the Mount.Download the BibleProject App from the iOS App Store or Android Google Play Store.SHOW MUSICBibleProject theme song by TENTS SHOW CREDITSProduction of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer, who also edited today's episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty writes the show notes. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie. Special thanks to our guest, Steve Atkinson.Powered and distributed by Simplecast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's the last episode of 2025! Join Raechel and Amanda as they reflect on the final week of our Advent 2025 study and the whole of 2025. What a year it's been, and we are so grateful you've been along for the journey!Open your Bibles with us this week! This episode corresponds to Week 5 of She Reads Truth's Advent 2025 reading plan. You can read with the She Reads Truth community on our site, in our app, or with our Advent 2025: Tidings of Comfort and Joy printed or digital Daily Reading Guide.She Reads Truth on Instagram & FacebookRaechel Myers on InstagramAmanda Bible Williams on Instagram*If you purchase something through our links, She Reads Truth may earn an affiliate commission.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Magellan AI - https://docsend.com/view/5vdvbdx7cr4tikmyPodscribe - https://podscribe.com/privacy