Podcasts about biblical christmas

Discover how people in the Biblical Christmas story responded to the arrival of the Savior. What can we learn from their responses, and how should we respond today?

Jonty and Rev Ness celebrate Christmas! They cover the best (and worst) Christmas food, their favourite Christmas movies, and what Christmas is looking like this year for them. Ness talks about her experience running Blue Christmas services, and the importance of holding the tension between the joys of Christmas and the grief that many people feel at this time of the year. We hear from Cory Schut from Wesley Mission about what they do to look after their community at Christmas time. Jonty and Ness unpack some of the gaps in the Biblical Christmas narrative, and where that allows for things like the recent film Mary to play around in those gaps, even asking us to confront things about our current time that haven't improved since the first century.Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373445507761084Become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/FilthyHopeEmail us: filthyhopepod@gmail.comFollow us on Socials:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filthyhopestudios/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/filthyhopepodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@filthyhopestudios?_t=8lLmIm1duvC&_r=1X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/FilthyHopeListen to Into the WordSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/24pRK5xEVz6TOeihxnmC7g?si=26a641cd9c774b20Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/into-the-word/id1734437831YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA1zq_mnGIs&t=413s&ab_channel=FilthyHopeStudios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's almost Christmas!!! Let's discuss the Biblical Christmas story, what it says, and what it doesn't. Was Jesus born into an empty barn with only Mary and Joseph there to deliver him? Or was he born into a home full of family there to welcome him? I know what the movies tell us....but was does the bible say? Listen in.

This Sunday Pastor Jeff resumes our sermon series called “Seven Biblical Promises That Anchor Our Sanity and Support Our Serenity” by exploring a life-changing, uplifting promise that emerges from a little known fact embedded in the Biblical Christmas story. Join us as we learn, grow, and celebrate the season of Christmas!

A new MP3 sermon from CrossWay Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: How to Celebrate a Biblical Christmas Subtitle: Holidays Speaker: R. Dean Linsky, Th.M. Broadcaster: CrossWay Church Event: Sunday Service Date: 12/17/2006 Bible: Colossians 2:8-19 Length: 40 min.

A new MP3 sermon from CrossWay Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: How to Celebrate a Biblical Christmas Subtitle: Holidays Speaker: R. Dean Linsky, Th.M. Broadcaster: CrossWay Church Event: Sunday Service Date: 12/19/1999 Length: 38 min.

Ever heard of the LDB (Little Drummer Boy) Challenge? Participants try to avoid the song for as long as possible during the holiday season. As soon as you hear it, you're out. But why? Why so much ill-will for a song about a character who's not actually in the Biblical Christmas story? Sure, he's loud, he's annoying, and he just doesn't fit, but maybe that's the point: He did what he could, even when others didn't think much of it, and that's enough. It's enough for us, too. Part III of our "Non-Canonical Christmas" series exploring Christmas characters who aren't in the official nativity script but maybe should be, and why. (Mark 10:13-16)Join us Sundays for worship, LIVE! on-site and online via Zoom @ 10am ET. Connect at www.NeedhamUCC.org.---The Congregational Church of Needham strives to be a justice-seeking, peace-making, love-affirming, LGBTQ-welcoming, radically-inclusive congregation of the United Church of Christ in Needham, MA.Church is the practice.Love is the point.

As we walk through some of the characters of the Biblical Christmas account and explore their personal cost, we ask of ourselves: Is there room for the challenge of Jesus?

We welcome back Dr. Scott Hahn of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology to discuss how we can have a biblically sound understanding of Christmas. How do the infancy narratives connect the Old Testament to the New, and why should we better learn of our family history? Joy to the World: How Christ's Coming Changed Everything (and Still Does) – St. Paul Center Letters From Home Podcast - St. Paul Center Catena Aurea: Commentary On the Four Gospels Collected Out of the Works of the Fathers: Kindle edition by Saint Thomas Aquinas Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives - Pope Benedict XVI The True Meaning of Christmas: The Birth of Jesus & the Origins of the Season - Michael Patrick Barber The Case for Jesus: The Biblical and Historical Evidence for Christ - Dr. Brant Pitre Real Philosophy for Real People: Tools for Truthful Living - Fr. Robert McTeigue, S.J. Read Fr. McTeigue's Written Works! Questions? Comments? Feedback? Ask Father!

A Full Christmas – Part 2: Christmas is Fullness of the Spirit In his book entitled “JESUS, CONTINUED…”, J.D. Greear, teaching on JESUS' incredible statement in John 16:7, does a masterful job of asking and answering the question, “How is the HOLY SPIRIT inside you, better than JESUS beside you?” Grasping the fullness of what JESUS taught about the HOLY SPIRIT is essential to having the fullest Christmas experience ever, because the HOLY SPIRIT is active at every turn of the Biblical Christmas story! In our Christmas teaching series, A FULL CHRISTMAS, we're exploring the depths of Paul's brief reference to Christmas in his letter to the church at Galatia. You can read in in Galatians 4:4-7. In this second message in our Christmas series, Pastor Joe Still shares how to have a more fulfilling Christmas through the “FULLNESS OF THE SPIRIT”!

When I first started thinking about Advent and this podcast series I wanted to create for you, I thought I was going to be sharing stories that were all about comfort and joy. But as I dug into the Christmas story - it turns out that although we talk a lot about wanting comfort and joy during this particular time of year, it isn't really a theme that shows up very strongly in the Biblical Christmas story, at least not in the ways you expect it to. Instead what we can find throughout the stories surrounding the birth of Jesus is a whole lot of disruption. Join me as I unpack and lean into this theme of having a 'very disruptive Christmas'.

It is almost time for our next online class and John Dominic Crossan is here to lure to join Christmas Stories

Thrilled to announce our upcoming Advent class with John Dominic Crossan. If you want to dig into the Biblical Christmas narratives with one of the most respected New Testament scholars alive, then signup. It will feature 4 visual lectures, live QnA, a discussion of his book ‘the First Christmas: What the Gospels Really Teach About… Read more about John Dominic Crossan: the most important discovery for understanding Jesus

By Kondo Simfukwe The Christmas story isn't quite what we've made it be. The Biblical Christmas was a messy situation, but the very circumstances God used to fulfill His promised Hope for the world. He can redeem and fulfill our messy stories this Christmas!

Today, for Christmas 2021, we examine a Biblical "Christmas" tree recorded in 2 of the gospels and why both of these passages are critical to understand regarding Jesus' birth - His first advent, and foreshadowing His second. www.covenanttruthministries.com

In “The Polar Express” a quote is debated a bit is it that “Seeing is Believing” or is it “Believing is Seeing.” The Biblical Christmas story contains quite a bit of this debate as well. Let's talk about those who believed to see the appearance of Jesus on this Earth! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Pastor Jon preaches a good word on Christ and the history of Him coming into this world for us all. The best gift of all.......Jesus.

This year as I have reflected on the Biblical Christmas story, I see that this beloved story is absolutely full of interruptions. Things not going as planned. Dreams crushed or altered. Maybe it is my own interrupted Christmas – this year and last year - that has caused me to see the hard side of the Christmas story and identify with the characters of this treasured story in their interrupted lives. My heart aches with Zechariah and Elizabeth as they year after year ask God for a child only to live in a home empty of the laughter of children. I can feel the pain and shock of Joseph learning that his beloved and godly fiancé is pregnant. I wonder at the resolve of Mary to forgo her wedding plans to carry the Christ child. I chuckle at the shepherds having their work plans totally messed up by an army of angels. When God's plan crossed the plans of each of these people, their lives were turned upside down. At first it might have been painful, frightening, disappointing or just plain frustrating. But in the end, God's plan was the best plan and as each person surrendered to God the result was simply glorious. 

Episode #62: ‘Connecting the Dots' of Christmas It is hard for most of us to separate the ‘traditions' of Christmas from the ‘Truths' of the Biblical Christmas story. It can be difficult… but it is important for us to ‘connect the dots' of God's incredible plan— the culmination of the ages— when God became one of US. In this episode we attempt to the ‘connect the dots' of Christmas so that we can understand the ‘big picture'.

Today, we are beginning our Advent series on the Movies of Christmas. We are going to look at four popular Christmas movies in our culture, and see where we can find elements of the Biblical Christmas story found hidden within them. Today, we begin with the movie Christmas Vacation. This is a movie about Expectations, Sin, and Grace. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/clark-cowden/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/clark-cowden/support

The Christmas season has a way of suddenly taking off on us. Each year we think we have it under control, but that usually doesn't happen. And when Christmas Day has come and gone, we wonder why we can't ever just slow down and enjoy the season.It's an uphill battle, you know. In America we rush everything, don't we? Stores now have Christmas items up as early as October. For weeks now, we've been getting Christmas catalogs in the mail. Christmas has become more and more about the almighty Buck.But let me share with you one of the most profound verses in the whole Biblical Christmas account. Luke 2:19  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.If anyone had reason to be frantic during that first Christmas, it would have been Mary, the mother of Jesus. From the angel's announcement of an impending pregnancy, to the potentially awkward situation of letting her fiancé, Joseph, know what was going on, to a last-minute trip out of town to register for the census, to having to give birth in a stable, to having unexpected guests come over to see the newborn baby… one wouldn't blame Mary for feeling frazzled!But instead of being overwhelmed by the chaos, after all was said and done, Mary was able to slow down, to treasure the events surrounding the birth of Jesus, and ponder them in her heart.Maybe that's why God chose Mary for this amazing honor. Was there something about this young Jewish maiden that put her in favor with God?

We are going to ask the question, "What doors do we need to open?" as we walk through the Biblical Christmas story. In the Christian vernacular we use "the door" as a cliche to God's activity. We might say phrases like "God closed that door" or "When God closes a door He opens a window."The word ADVENT means the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. During this teaching series, I hope to challenge us to open the door to these notable arrivalsNovember 29 - Open the door to God's planDecember 6th - Open the door to your communityDecember 13th - Open the door to your heartDecember 20th - Open the door to a divine encounterDecember 24th - Open the door the God's loveJanuary 3rd - Open the door to new opportunitiesI'm looking forward to exploring what the Lord has for us during this season of Advent.

Pastor Ernest delivers a message focused on the Biblical Christmas story.

12/24/2020 - John Greco - Writer and editor, with thoughtful insights about the Biblical Christmas story.

I had a hard time titling this: Terror of Demons?, Joseph the Just; Controversial Christmas… I’m not good with titles. It is about all those things though. Merry Christmas!

While there is much joy in the Biblical Christmas story, there is also much pain. Today we jump into that topic to see how Christmas can relate to us even when it feels like everything is falling apart. Join our church or on our Discord: https://discord.com/invite/Tdsfqrk

Merry Christmas, My Intentional Mom Friends!This is Val Harrison the Practically Speaking MOM and host of the Practically Speaking MOM: Intentional Mom, Strong Family Podcast. This week we’re all in for a Christmas crosscast! What's a "Crosscast?" It's a collaboration of podcasters. You'll be listening to a a collaboration of 12 fellow female podcasters. We were invited onto the All God’s Women Podcast. I hope you enjoy it! Thank you Sharon Wilharm of the All God’s Women Podcast for allowing me to participate in this Christmas crosscast. My Intentional Friends, I hope the next couple of weeks are a special time for you to honor our Savior Christ. I am taking a few weeks off from the podcast to spend time with my family. I will be back on Jan 11 and you’ll get to hear all of the Five R’s of Intentional Motherhood. In the mean time, be sure to watch for an email from me next Monday as it will contain a coupon to use on website, PracticallySpeakingMOM.com If you don’t see it in your inbox next Monday, check your spam folder. If you aren’t receiving my Monday emails, subscribe by entering your email at PracticallySpeakingMOM.com. Merry Christmas and I’ll see you Jan 11 right here on the Practically Speaking MOM: Intenitonal Mom, Strong Family Podcast.CONNECT with VAL Website Facebook Group Facebook Page Instagram

Cale shares fascinating facts about the Christmas story in the Bible. Topics also discussed: Nick Saban and his Catholic faith influencing his success and coaching at Alabama. Question from David on Twitter: did the tradition of the early Church Fathers of the four living creatures in Revelation 4:7 resembling the Four evangelists influence the decision […]

Cale shares fascinating facts about the Christmas story in the Bible. Topics also discussed: Nick Saban and his Catholic faith influencing his success and coaching at Alabama. Question from David on Twitter: did the tradition of the early Church Fathers of the four living creatures in Revelation 4:7 resembling the Four evangelists influence the decision […] All show notes at Biblical Christmas Story / Football / Confession - This podcast produced by Relevant Radio

Katie Patrizio joins me to discuss the biblical "why" behind Christmas. Why did Jesus come to earth? What Scripture references point to His coming? And, what should our response be to it?

Because of the COVID pandemic, many of us are about to experience one of the strangest, most isolating Christmases ever. Sunday’s sermon will share two practical insights – drawn from the Biblical Christmas story – that could make a huge difference in how you experience Christmas this year.

Each key figure of the Biblical Christmas story had a personal question to wrestle with. And they are the same questions we must wrestle with too.

Open The DoorWe are going to ask the question, "What doors do we need to open?" as we walk through the Biblical Christmas story. In the Christian vernacular we use "the door" as a cliche to God's activity. We might say phrases like "God closed that door" or "When God closes a door He opens a window."The word ADVENT means the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. During this teaching series, I hope to challenge us to open the door to these notable arrivalsNovember 29 - Open the door to God's planDecember 6th - Open the door to your communityDecember 13th - Open the door to your heartDecember 20th - Open the door to a divine encounterDecember 24th - Open the door the God's loveJanuary 3rd - Open the door to new opportunitiesI'm looking forward to exploring what the Lord has for us during this season of Advent.

Angels play a prominent role in the Biblical Christmas story. Are they as actively engaged in our lives? Yes, they’re around us and they want to help. We’ve just got to know how to let them in. This is an audio-only version of video-based show, and the podcast may contain references to visuals from the original episode. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9xgZVITmFHI↓↓↓ FREE e-book downloads and more below ↓↓↓0:00 Introduction3:06 Holy Fear11:23 Listening17:29 Gratitude and Action21:14 Wrap Up★☆★BE THE FIRST TO SEE NEW CONTENT★☆★All content premieres at 12:00pm PT, 3:00pm ET, and 8:00pm GMT.Explore all our content at https://offthelefteye.com/Monday: Watch Swedenborg and LifeTuesday: Receive OTLE's Inspiration ArtWednesday: Watch News From HeavenThursday: Respond to our weekly reflection questionFriday: Join us for Swedenborg Live!Saturday: Share our Quick AnswersSunday: Listen to the Inside offTheLeftEye podcast and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! ★☆★FREE E-BOOKS★☆★New Jerusalem https://swedenborg.com/product/new-jerusalem-nce/True Christianity https://swedenborg.com/product/true-christianity-1-nce/Divine Providence https://swedenborg.com/product/divine-providence-nce/Secrets of Heaven https://swedenborg.com/product/secrets-heaven-1-nce/Heaven and Hell https://swedenborg.com/product/heaven-hell-nce/★☆★ABOUT★☆★“Swedenborg & Life” is a pre-produced web series that explores concepts from Emanuel Swedenborg’s eighteenth-century spiritual theology and interprets them for a modern-day audience. offTheLeftEye is brought to you by the Swedenborg Foundation—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, independent, educational organization for those seeking to explore spirituality and faith. Learn more at https://www.swedenborg.com★☆★SUPPORT OUR SHOWS★☆★MAKE A ONE-TIME OR RECURRING DONATION See how your generosity directly benefits our channel! https://offthelefteye.com/donate/BECOME A MEMBER Support all the work of the Swedenborg Foundation. http://www.swedenborg.com/membershipSHOP OUR MERCH 15% of proceeds from our Redbubble store help us continue to offer free spiritual resources just like the videos seen here. http://www.redbubble.com/people/swedenborgfound/shop★☆★STAY CONNECTED ★☆★Hit the SUBSCRIBE button to be notified every time we upload new videos to our channel!E-MAIL SIGN-UP - https://offthelefteye.com/subscribe/FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/HeavenAndHellSwedenborg/TWITTER - https://twitter.com/offthelefteye?lang=en★☆★THE OTLE CREW★☆★Curtis Childs - Host, Director of OffTheLeftEyeKarin Childs - Host, Writer, Community ManagerChelsea Odhner - Host, Writer, Production ManagerRev. Dr. Jonathan S. Rose - Host, Series Editor of the New Century EditionStewart Farmer - Technical DirectorMatthew Childs - Video Art DirectorMeng Zhang - Motion DesignerJesse Johnson - Motion DesignerReade McCardell - MusicDevon Asplundh - Production InternChara Daum - Latin ConsultantChris Dunn - Director of Digital MarketingJames Cole - Digital Marketing Assistant★☆★REACH OUT★☆★Want to have an offTheLeftEye team member appear on your show? Contact us at https://offthelefteye.com.

Each key figure of the Biblical Christmas story had a personal question to wrestle with. And they are the same questions we must wrestle with too.

The Biblical Christmas story about Mary and Elizabeth is filled with joy. It is a joy, like ours, that exists in the middle of discouragements. Join Pastor Gary on a journey to rediscover Joy in the Christmas of 2020.

Most of us are very familiar with the narrative of the Biblical Christmas story. Have you ever considered how those in the story that God used greatly were busy doing things that pleased God and that they were willing to change their plans to answer God’s call in their lives? It may actually be easier this Covid Christmas to find time to ponder and worship Jesus since there are very few activities to attend. Tune in this weekend by video or audio and be encouraged to see the value of arranging your priorities to find joy this CHRISTmas season. Pastor Chris Teiein #RiverRockChurchMN

Open The DoorWe are going to ask the question, "What doors do we need to open?" as we walk through the Biblical Christmas story. In the Christian vernacular we use "the door" as a cliche to God's activity. We might say phrases like "God closed that door" or "When God closes a door He opens a window."The word ADVENT means the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. During this teaching series, I hope to challenge us to open the door to these notable arrivalsNovember 29 - Open the door to God's planDecember 6th - Open the door to your communityDecember 13th - Open the door to your heartDecember 20th - Open the door to a divine encounterDecember 24th - Open the door the God's loveJanuary 3rd - Open the door to new opportunitiesI'm looking forward to exploring what the Lord has for us during this season of Advent.

Each key figure of the Biblical Christmas story had a personal question to wrestle with. And they are the same questions we must wrestle with too.

Part one of our series on Biblical Christmas songs. Today we study Mary's Magnificat.

A New ADVENT Teaching Series - Nov. 29thOpen The DoorWe are going to ask the question, "What doors do we need to open?" as we walk through the Biblical Christmas story. In the Christian vernacular we use "the door" as a cliche to God's activity. We might say phrases like "God closed that door" or "When God closes a door He opens a window."The word ADVENT means the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. During this teaching series, I hope to challenge us to open the door to these notable arrivalsNovember 29 - Open the door to God's planDecember 6th - Open the door to your communityDecember 13th - Open the door to your heartDecember 20th - Open the door to a divine encounterDecember 24th - Open the door the God's loveJanuary 3rd - Open the door to new opportunitiesI'm looking forward to exploring what the Lord has for us during this season of Advent.

Pastor Alex takes us through the Biblical Christmas story, from Genesis to Revelation, in this special Communion message.

A CHRISTMAS STORY Christmas is finally here! Christ followers everywhere will gather to remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus. So what is up with the Christmas story. Everybody has seen the Nativity scene. There is a donkey, a shepherd, a few sheep, 3 kings, a treasure chest, Daddy Joseph, Mama Mary, and baby Jesus in a cradle-nest made of tree branches. Oh, and don’t forget the barn that looks like a thatch bus stop. What does it mean? Are the stories behind the story interesting? Does any of it matter?   The Biblical Christmas story is like watching a mystery theater; every scene has a twist. As this puzzling drama unfolds, the characters emerge with fascinating pasts. They are players injected into God’s plan to solve the suffering of the ages. This suspenseful piecing together of the Nativity’s characters and circumstances makes the birth of Jesus a thriller, leaving each of us a newfound purpose and power to make a difference. In A Christmas Story, we shift our eyes from surface ideas of the manger to reveal God’s ultimate masterpiece of Redemption.   LUKE 2:1-20 NKJV And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in SWADDLING cloths, and laid Him in a MANGER, because there was no room for them in the INN (guest chamber). 8 Now there were in the same country SHEPHERDS living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an ANGEL of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the SIGN TO YOU: You will find a Babe wrapped in SWADDLING CLOTHS, lying in a MANGER.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a MULTITUDE OF THE HEAVENLY HOST praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” 15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.   PROPHECIES 40 AUTHORS 1,500 YEARS 66 BOOKS 1,000+ PROPHECIES 300+ MESSIANIC PROPHECIES   PROPHECIES – THE ODDS KILLED BY LIGHTNING STRIKE (2x107) BECOMING PRESIDENT (1x107) METEORITE LAND ON HOUSE (1x1014) 8 MESSIANIC PROPHECIES FULFILLED (1x1028)   OUTLINE NOTES PROPHICIES JOSEPH MARY MARY AND JOSEPH BETHLEHEM SHEPHERDS JERUSALEM – TEMPLE BABY DEDICATION MAGI KING HEROD MAGI JESUS YOU   1 JOHN 4:17 NKJV Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because AS JESUS CHRIST IS, SO ARE WE in this world.   CALL TO ACTION What is your ONE NEXT STEP that you need to take? SHARE THE CHRISTMAS STORY! 

12/20/19 – Daniel Darling – Vice president with the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, on the unusual and sometimes overlooked people in the Biblical Christmas story. The post The unusual and sometimes overlooked people in the Biblical Christmas story appeared first on Pilgrim Radio.

Join Jacob, Karl and Cassidy as they answer your guys' questions about Karl’s recent message: Welcome Home for Christmas: The Family’s Home. If you haven't heard the message yet, you can hear it through our sermon podcast feed here: https://apple.co/30ohpqt Be sure to send any QUESTIONS or FEEDBACK to iron@sierrabible.org! Quickly Find the Segments You'd Like To Listen to: 0:00 ► Introductions 0:38 ► Sermon Recap3:33 ◊ The 6th Commandment says, “Thou shall not kill.” With this in mind, why would they stone adulterers and adulteresses?16:00 ◊ Is it bad to excessively celebrate Christmas?22:28 ◊ What are some ways today that we expect God to work but He works unexpectedly?26:37 ◊ What are some other common misperceptions about the Biblical Christmas story?30:01 ◊ What would you say to someone who may not believe that God sees them or could love them and use them for His purposes?Follow us on Social MediaFacebook: facebook.com/sierrabiblerenoInstagram: instagram.com/sierrabiblerenoTwitter: twitter.com/sierrabiblerenoYouTube Sermon Archive: https://bit.ly/2SifJhYSupport the show (https://pushpay.com/g/sierrabible?src=hpp&r=monthly)

How we can parent during the holidays and how do we make the holiday season less about stuff and consumerism and more about helping and welcoming others?  In this episode, Diana talks to Rev. Amanda Hambrick Ashcraft, reverend at Middle Collegiate Church and founder of Raising Imagination.  We discuss why the Biblical Christmas story is revolutionary & how parents have a role to reclaim that, as well as how we can fight consumerism during the holidays and teach our children important values. Don't forget to follow the podcast on Instagram: @parentingandpolitics Share the podcast with your friends and rate and review so more people can find us! 

LET IT GO. Perfect song for this season. Think about it…. It’s the middle of December - and has it hit you yet? You know what I’m talking about… the Christmas RUSH. The way Jesus gets kinda pushed to the side so we can get the meals cooked and the goodies baked; we can get to all the pageants and plays we need to get to; and we take out a second mortgage just to make sure everyone gets exactly what they want… And at the end of it all - another Christmas has come and gone and all you have to show for it is the Visa bill and the terrible mess you have to clean up after everyone leaves.And each year we think we have it under control, but that usually doesn’t happen. And when Christmas Day has come and gone, we wonder why we can’t ever enjoy the season as it was meant to be enjoyed.This Christmas, I want to encourage this congregation to live counter-culturally; to make some determination to take steps to stop the madness. I know it feels as though there’s nothing we can do, but I believe that’s a lie; I believe we can learn to put our foot down and make the hard decisions that need to be made in order to take back this amazing time of the year.If you take a good look at the Biblical Christmas account, you’ll see some CRAZY things going on. Chaos, and complexity, and conflict. What we read of is NOT what is typically pictured on the front of Christmas cards. But even through the crazy, people like Mary and Joseph and the Shepherds were able to let that all go; and they were able to receive the blessing of being part of a life-changing event.This morning, I think we need to learn how to let it go. To look past the chaos, to defy the commercialism, and to seek a way to end conflict that so many people experience at Christmas time. If we can do that, we will be able to guard against the culture’s desire to make our hearts frozen.

Part 2 of our Real Christmas Story series that examines the Biblical Christmas story through the lens of the popular movie and television show "A Christmas Story". This week we discuss Ralphie's dad and all the trials and tribulations he faces in the movie and how that related to Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ. Joseph is a character who usually gets pushed to the sides of our nativity scenes and Christmas musicals. There are no songs about Joseph and we know very little about him; yet without Joseph and his obedience to God in a very trying and difficult circumstance, we would have no nativity. Join us to discover how God used Joseph to fulfill numerous Old Testament prophecies concerning Jesus' birth and how his example of obedience can still teach us a few lessons today.

Pastor Alex Bryan and Scott Reiner, CEO, read the Biblical Christmas story and Twas the Night Before Christmas.

A CHRISTMAS STORY Christmas is finally here! Christ followers everywhere will gather to remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus. So what is up with the Christmas story. Everybody has seen the Nativity scene. There is a donkey, a shepherd, a few sheep, 3 kings, a treasure chest, Daddy Joseph, Mama Mary, and baby Jesus in a cradle-nest made of tree branches. Oh, and don’t forget the barn that looks like a thatch bus stop. What does it mean? Are the stories behind the story interesting? Does any of it matter?   The Biblical Christmas story is like watching a mystery theater; every scene has a twist. As this puzzling drama unfolds, the characters emerge with fascinating pasts. They are players injected into God’s plan to solve the suffering of the ages. This suspenseful piecing together of the Nativity’s characters and circumstances makes the birth of Jesus a thriller, leaving each of us a newfound purpose and power to make a difference. In A Christmas Story, we shift our eyes from surface ideas of the manger to reveal God’s ultimate masterpiece of Redemption.   TODAY’S MESSAGE   LUKE 2:1-20 NKJV And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in SWADDLING cloths, and laid Him in a MANGER, because there was no room for them in the INN (guest chamber). 8 Now there were in the same country SHEPHERDS living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an ANGEL of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the SIGN TO YOU: You will find a Babe wrapped in SWADDLING CLOTHS, lying in a MANGER.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a MULTITUDE OF THE HEAVENLY HOST praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” 15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.   PROPHECIES 40 AUTHORS 1,500 YEARS 66 BOOKS 1,000+ PROPHECIES 300+ MESSIANIC PROPHECIES   PROPHECIES – THE ODDS KILLED BY LIGHTNING STRIKE (2x107) BECOMING PRESIDENT (1x107) METEORITE LAND ON HOUSE (1x1014) 8 MESSIANIC PROPHECIES FULFILLED (1x1028)   OUTLINE NOTES PROPHICIES JOSEPH MARY MARY AND JOSEPH BETHLEHEM SHEPHERDS JERUSALEM – TEMPLE BABY DEDICATION MAGI KING HEROD MAGI JESUS YOU   1 JOHN 4:17 NKJV Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because AS JESUS CHRIST IS, SO ARE WE in this world.   CALL TO ACTION What is your ONE NEXT STEP that you need to take? SHARE THE CHRISTMAS STORY!   

This Sunday we’ll be looking at biblical responses at the FIRST Christmas and their application to us

This Sunday we’ll be looking at biblical responses at the FIRST Christmas and their application to us

This Sunday we’ll be looking at biblical responses at the FIRST Christmas and their application to us

This Sunday we’ll be looking at biblical responses at the FIRST Christmas and their application to us

This Sunday we’ll be looking at biblical responses at the FIRST Christmas and their application to us

How does the Biblical Christmas story speak to our 21st century cities? In this episode, Rick Enloe and Dave Hillis explore an untold version of the Christmas story that mirrors the realities of our world today. Join them as they discuss how the untold story, complete with rough edges, brings us hope and can help us see our cities in increasingly clear ways.

Pastor Hurmon launched a new message series entitled “Living a Life of Joy,” teaching from Luke 2:8-12 and Luke 2:17-18 (NIV) highlighting the difference between Biblical Christmas and commercial Christmas. Don't let the din of a commercial Christmas overpower a Christ-centered Christmas. Additional Scriptures Cited: Philippians 4:4 (NIV); John 1:14 (NLT); Isaiah 9:2 (NIV); John 8:12 (NIV); Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV); Psalm 16:11 (NIV).

Pastor Hurmon launched a new message series entitled “Living a Life of Joy,” teaching from Luke 2:8-12 and Luke 2:17-18 (NIV) highlighting the difference between Biblical Christmas and commercial Christmas. Don't let the din of a commercial Christmas overpower a Christ-centered Christmas. Additional Scriptures Cited: Philippians 4:4 (NIV); John 1:14 (NLT); Isaiah 9:2 (NIV); John 8:12 (NIV); Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV); Psalm 16:11 (NIV).

Candlelight Christmas Eve with Dr. Randy White (holiday) from Short Sermons by Dr. Randy White. Released: 2015. Track 68. Genre: Speech. December, 2015, from Taos (NM) First Baptist Church, Dr. Randy White presents the Biblical Christmas story by memory. Additional Materials: ( Website | Video | YouTubeChannel | ZoHo ) The post Candlelight Christmas Eve with Dr. Randy White (holiday) appeared first on RWM Podcasts.

Watch the biblical account of the birth of Jesus and the events surrounding his birth at Christmas.

The Biblical Christmas by Dave Nelson

For many, the Christmas season is anything but full of joy, peace, and goodwill. Reality for these people is that Christmas can be a time of misery, and a season of the year they'd rather avoid altogether. The Biblical Christmas story contains misery worse than most of us can even imagine. But why would God include this in the middle of the account of His son's birth? Jarrod tells us why in "Christmas Tears".