Podcasts about his son

The Magi weren't reading Daniel. They weren't studying the prophets. They were reading the sky.In our Members-Only Part 2 of our Christmas deep dive into the Star of Bethlehem, Caleb Jones returns to answer the question everyone's been asking: Why did the Magi know to come? What did they actually see in that chart that made them pack up and travel for months?Using ancient sources—Ptolemy, Manilius, Vettius Valens—Caleb reconstructs what an astrological reading of August 12, 3 BC would have looked like. The verdict? A heaven-blessed birth in Palestine. Incredible fortune. Warfare and a sword in his future. Someone who would overcome great danger through Jupiter and Venus.But this episode goes deeper than astronomy. Caleb traces how the Bible itself addresses astrology—not as fake, but as a rival way of knowing that God told Israel not to pursue because He would speak to them directly. When Israel rebelled and looked to the stars anyway, God wove their disobedience into His plan: He would use pagan astrologers to announce His Son and shame His people who should have known better.From Deuteronomy to Isaiah to Romans, the threads converge. The Magi weren't reading Daniel. They were reading the sky. And God met them there.The Christmas story is stranger than you thought. Not a member yet? Right now, we are running our biggest sale of the year with 20% OFF all memberships until the end of the year. Head over to https://blurrycreatures.com/pages/members to check it out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christmas morning is filled with anticipation, joy, and carefully prepared gifts, yet Scripture reminds us that the greatest gift does not come from beneath the tree. James 1:17 tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from God, and Christmas celebrates the most perfect gift of all—Jesus Christ. While we strive to give meaningful presents to those we love, God’s gift surpasses them all: His Son, sent to bring salvation, hope, and eternal life. As we begin Christmas Day, we are invited to pause, give thanks, and remember that Jesus is the heart of the celebration and the gift we are called to share with others. Main Takeaways You’ll learn why our desire to give meaningful gifts reflects God’s generous nature. Discover how Jesus is the ultimate and perfect Christmas gift from the Father. Reflect on the significance of Christ’s birth as described in Isaiah’s prophecy. Be encouraged to begin Christmas Day with gratitude, worship, and prayer. Understand how sharing the gift of Jesus can be part of how we give to others this season. Bible Verse References James 1:17 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/james/1-17.html Matthew 7:11 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/7-11.html Isaiah 9:6 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/9-6.html 2 Corinthians 9:15 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/2-corinthians/9-15.html John 3:16 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/john/3-16.html Your Daily Prayer Dear Father, Giver of every good and perfect gift, thank You for Jesus—Your precious and perfect gift to us. As we begin this Christmas Day, fill our hearts with joy, gratitude, and peace as we celebrate His birth. Help us remember the incredible love behind Your gift of salvation and eternal life. Lead us to share this good news with those we love, and may everything we give today reflect Your grace, generosity, and love.In Jesus’ name, Amen. Want More? Subscribe to Your Daily Prayer for daily encouragement rooted in Scripture. Leave a rating or review to help others discover the podcast. Visit LifeAudio.com for more faith-filled podcasts and devotionals. Explore more Christmas devotionals and biblical resources at Crosswalk.com and Christianity.com. Relevant Links & Resources Scripture study and Bible tools:BibleStudyTools.com – https://www.biblestudytools.com Christmas devotionals and Christian living articles:Crosswalk.com – https://www.crosswalk.comChristianity.com – https://www.christianity.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

“What sweeter music can we bring / Than a carol for to sing / The birth of this our heavenly king.” The lines of this 17th century poem “What Sweeter Music” were reimagined by modern-day choral composer John Rutter to become an Advent season favorite. Its gentle melody describes a long, cold season of waiting that’s thawed by the springtime feeling of Jesus’ arrival. The singers bring Him a Christmas carol; the listeners are invited to bring their hearts. Rutter’s arrangement was commissioned to correspond with a church reading on the wise men who brought Him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These mysterious magi traveled a great distance to meet baby Jesus with the express purpose of worshiping him (Matthew 2:1-2). God gave them wisdom to keep Jesus’ location a secret from wicked King Herod. When they finally found Him, they “were overjoyed” (v. 10). They bowed down in reverence. Then “they opened their treasures” to lay precious resources at His feet (v. 11). The Christmas season shouldn’t be focused on material goods—but it’s certainly about giving and receiving gifts. God gave His Son to heal a broken world. If we’ve never given Him our hearts, today’s a wonderful day to do so. If He already reigns there, let’s offer a carol of peace and joy as we think about His arrival all those years ago in Bethlehem—and wait for His return.

Jesus came to make you a part of His family. On this Christmas Day, celebrate God for sending His Son, Jesus, who is the greatest gift to all mankind. Listen to Kenneth Copeland and Professor Greg Stephens on Believer's Voice of Victory as they remind you how important family members are to anyone. By living in victory, you are able to raise your children to know the Love of God through you. Learn how to align yourself with God, who sees you as family, with all the rights and privileges He has given to Jesus.

Merry Christmas! We hope you're all enjoying Christmas day and spending time with your families. In this episode, Brody reads through some Scripture of Jesus's coming. Let's take time today to thank the Lord for sending His Son to the world to save us from our sins.Matthew 1Luke 2 Matthew 225 Christmas Hymns You Should Listen to This YearSend us a textPlease leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help improve No Sanity Required and help others grow in their faith. Click here to get our Colossians Bible study.

This is a story, a story that's true Of why Jesus came, and what that means to you! God so loved the world that He gave us His Son. Whoever believes in Him—a new life has begun! (originally aired 12/11/21) #kids, #storiesforchristiankids, #christmas, #biblelessonsforkids, #firstchristmasstory, #jesusisborn, #angelsproclaimjesusbirth, #peaceonearth, #goodwilltowardmen, #sharegoodnews, #fishbytesforkids, #fishbytes4kids, #fishbitesforkids, #ronandcarriewebb, #roncarriewebb

Jesus came to make you a part of His family. On this Christmas Day, celebrate God for sending His Son, Jesus, who is the greatest gift to all mankind. Watch Kenneth Copeland and Professor Greg Stephens on Believer's Voice of Victory as they remind you how important family members are to anyone. By living in victory, you are able to raise your children to know the Love of God through you. Learn how to align yourself with God, who sees you as family, with all the rights and privileges He has given to Jesus.

It's Christmas, Thursday, December 25th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes written by Jonathan Clark and heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  Filling in for Adam McManus I'm Ean Leppin (contact@eanvoiceit.com) Millions of Christians Persecuted at Christmas Time Millions of Christians around the world must celebrate the birth of Christ in secret or face persecution this year. For example, China bans children from Christmas church celebrations. In Iran, Muslim converts to Christianity who attend unregistered house churches face arrest at this time of year. Christmas worship and displays are banned in North Korea. And Somalia completely bans Christmas observances. International Christian Concern noted, “For those of us blessed with the freedom to celebrate Christmas publicly, let us also remember and lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ who cling to him, regardless of the cost.” 1 Corinthians 12:26-27 says, “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” U.S. to Support Faith-Based Health Care Providers in Nigeria The United States agreed to support faith-based health care providers in Nigeria on Saturday. The U.S. committed over two billion dollars to the five-year bilateral health agreement. Two hundred million dollars of the funding will go to 900 Christian health care facilities. Christian clinics represent about 10% of providers in Nigeria, but they serve nearly a third of the country.  Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world for Christians with tens of thousands of believers being killed there in the last decade.  LA Governor to Lead Envoy to Greenland President Donald Trump named Louisiana Republican Governor Jeff Landry as the United States Special Envoy to Greenland on Sunday.  The president expressed interest in buying the territory from Denmark during his first term. Listen to his recent comments. TRUMP: “We need Greenland for national security. And if you take a look at Greenland, you look up and down the coast, you have Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need it for national security. We have to have it. And he wanted to lead the charge, so we're making him [inaudible] a special envoy to Greenland. Greenland's a big deal.” The leaders of Greenland and Denmark continue to reject efforts to make the territory part of the U.S. Rand Paul Releases Report on Government Waste Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky released his annual “Festivus Report” on government waste. The report shows $1.6 trillion in waste up from one trillion dollars last year. Dr. Paul identified most of the waste with the $1.2 trillion spent on interest payments for the U.S. debt.  Highlights from the remaining $400 billion in waste included funneling money to social media influencers, drug experiments, and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Abortion Mills Decline for 4th Year in a Row Operation Rescue reports the number of abortion mills declined for the fourth year in a row. There were 657 abortion mills in operation this year, down from 718 in 2021. Meanwhile, the number pro-life pregnancy centers is growing. Heartbeat International is the largest network of pregnancy help organizations. The network reached 4,000 locations globally last month. Gallup Releases New Survey on How Americans Celebrate Christmas Gallup released a new survey on how Americans celebrate Christmas. Most U.S. adults still celebrate the day, but fewer do so religiously. The majority of people who celebrate Christmas participate in activities like exchanging gifts, gathering with family and friends, and decorating their homes. However, only half of Americans display religious decorations or attend religious services for Christmas. That's down from two thirds of the population in 2010. Anniversary of Baptism of 1000s of Brits And finally, today is the anniversary of when thousands of people in Britain received baptism. Augustine of Canterbury was a Christian monk who arrived in Britain in the year 597 A.D. He is known as the “Apostle to the English.” Augustine preached to the local ruler, King Æthelberht who led the Kingdom of Kent. The king converted to Christianity from Anglo-Saxon paganism. He allowed Augustine and his missionaries to evangelize the people.  On Christmas Day in 597, Augustine reportedly baptized thousands of people who turned from paganism to Christ. John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”  Close And that's The Worldview on this Christmas, Thursday, December 25th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. Filling in for Adam McManus I'm Ean Leppin (contact@eanvoiceit.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Throughout Scripture we see evil waging war against God and His redemptive plan, fulfilled in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet from the birth of Christ through His death, burial, and resurrection, that evil endeavor is shown to be a failure. Join Bill Busshaus as he leads us in a study from the book of Matthew, revealing the certainty of God's victorious plan.www.instagram.com/thehishillpodcast/www.hishill.orgkelly@hishill.org

MERCHANDISE NOW ON SALE THROUGH 12/31 ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE THROUGH 12/31 The lads grab their tiny red scarves and head for Fozziwig's Rubber Chicken Factory as they cover Brian Henson's 1992 holiday classic: The Muppet Christmas Carol. Topics include the arch prose of Dickens, the cutting of “When Love is Gone”, and what it means to create a staple of the holiday season that involves Michael Caine throwing a wreath at a tiny puppet.   Media Referenced in this Episode: The Muppet Christmas Carol. Dir. Brian Henson. 1992. “Michael Caine Loves The Muppet Christmas Carol as Much as You Do” by Laruen Larson. GQ. December 15th, 2016. “Brian Henson on What Makes ‘A Muppet Christmas Carol' So Special and His Father's legacy” by Alyssa Fikse. Uproxx. December 23rd, 2015. “How we made: The Muppet Christmas Carol” by Ben Beaumont-Thomas. The Guardian. December 21st, 2015.   TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com   Interstitial: “A Letter from Charles Dickens to His Son, Edward ‘Plorn' Dickens, on the Day of His Departure to Australia, September 26th, 1868" // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. Brian Alford as “Charles Dickens” // Additional Text by Charles Dickens in a Letter to his son, Plorn

Spring Lake Church – DowntownSermon: God Gave His SonTeacher: Bill Van KirkPassages: John 3:16For the Christmas Eve service at Spring Lake Church Downtown, Pastor Bill Van Kirk centers our hearts on the simple yet world-changing truth of Christmas: God gave His Son. Rooted in John 3:16, the message reminds us that the incarnation flows from God's deep love for the world. Out of that love, He gave His one and only Son—not as an abstract idea, but as a real gift for real people in real need. And in giving His Son, God also gives us a choice: to believe, to receive, and to step into the life He offers. Christmas proclaims that love has come near, and every heart is invited to respond.springlakechurch.org | springlakechurch.org/give | springlakechurch.org/prayer

Spring Lake Church – BellevueSermon: God Gave His SonTeacher: Jack GuerraPassages: John 3:16For the Christmas Eve service at Spring Lake Church Bellevue, Pastor Jack Guerra centers our hearts on the simple yet world-changing truth of Christmas: God gave His Son. Rooted in John 3:16, the message reminds us that the incarnation flows from God's deep love for the world. Out of that love, He gave His one and only Son—not as an abstract idea, but as a real gift for real people in real need. And in giving His Son, God also gives us a choice: to believe, to receive, and to step into the life He offers. Christmas proclaims that love has come near, and every heart is invited to respond.springlakechurch.org | springlakechurch.org/give | springlakechurch.org/prayer

“The Little Things inthe Christmas Story” MerryChristmas, and welcome to Pastor's Chat. On this Christmas morning, I want totake a few moments to remind us that God often works through what the worldconsiders small, insignificant, and unnoticed. Years ago, I preached a messagetitled “The Little Things in the Christmas Story.” And the more I reflect onthe birth of Christ, the more I am convinced that Christmas is a story filledwith little things that reveal a very big God.Theworld looks for greatness in power, position, and prominence. But God revealsHis glory through humility, obedience, and faith. Notice these “Little Things”associated with the Christmas story. ALittle Town — BethlehemTheprophet Micah tells us: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be littleamong the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me thatis to be ruler in Israel.” (Micah 5:2) Bethlehem was a small, obscurevillage—hardly the place one would expect a King to be born. Yet God chose alittle town to bring forth the Savior of the world. God is never limited bylocation. He delights in working through places the world overlooks. ALittle Virgin Girl — MaryLuketells us that God chose a young virgin named Mary (Luke 1:27). She was notfamous, powerful, or influential—just a humble young woman willing to say yesto God. Her simple response still echoes through history: “Be it unto meaccording to thy word.” (Luke 1:38) One surrendered heart can change thecourse of history. ALittle Stable and a Little MangerLukechapter 2 reminds us there was no room in the inn, so Jesus was born in a lowlyplace and laid in a manger. The King of glory was not born in a palace but in astable. The Bread of Life was laid in a feeding trough. God entered the worldquietly, humbly, and without earthly applause. Christmas reminds us that Godcame down to where we are. ALittle Baby“Untoyou is born this day in the city of David a Savior.” (Luke 2:11) Theeternal Son of God came as a helpless infant. Almighty God wrapped Himself inhuman flesh. Omnipotence came in weakness. Eternity stepped into time. Neverunderestimate what God can do through something that looks small. ALittle Group of ShepherdsThefirst people to hear the announcement of Christ's birth were shepherds—ordinarymen doing ordinary work. “And there were in the same country shepherdsabiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” (Luke 2:8) Godchose faithful, watchful men—not kings or scholars—to receive the good newsfirst. Heaven still reveals truth to the humble and attentive. ALittle StarMatthewtells us that wise men were guided by a star (Matthew 2:2). One small light ledsincere seekers to the Savior. God still uses light—the light of His Word, ofHis truth, and of His Son—to guide hearts that are genuinely seeking Him. ALittle Response of FaithMarybelieved. Joseph obeyed. The shepherds went. The wise men followed. Christmasreminds us that God's greatest work often begins with simple obedience. ABig God at Work Through Little ThingsChristmasteaches us this powerful truth: God specializes in using little things toaccomplish eternal purposes.Littleplaces. Little people. Little acts of faith.Andthrough them all, God brought us the greatest gift of all—Jesus Christ.“ForGod so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.” (John 3:16) ThisChristmas morning, may we not overlook the small things. May we surrender whatwe have, where we are, and who we are to the Lord. The Lord can use us andwhatever we yield to Him for the glory of God! MayGod bless you, and may you have a truly merry Christmas.

In this episode, we explore the promise in Joel that God would “pour out” His Spirit on all flesh (Joel 2:28–29) and explore how radically relational this language truly is. We begin in the Old Testament, where “pouring out” can refer to offerings, libations, judgments, or even the outflow of a person's own life. Against that backdrop, Joel's usage stands out: he applies the imagery to God Himself—God pouring out His own Spirit in an unrestrained, unguarded act of generous self-giving. It is the ultimate divine self-disclosure.We explore how this pouring out is not about selective empowerment but about God opening His inner life to His people. Joel's language signals intimacy and abundance. It anticipates a moment when God will no longer reserve His Spirit for prophets, priests, or kings, but lavishly give Himself to sons and daughters, the old and the young, servants and the free. In other words, God's self-revelation produces a people who become self-revealing on His behalf—a community that prophesies because it has encountered the God who speaks.Then we move to Acts 2:32–33, where Peter announces that this moment has come. Christ—raised, enthroned, and glorified—receives the promised Spirit from the Father and pours Him out upon His people. Joel's prophecy is not fulfilled by a general divine action but by the risen Jesus Himself. And on Pentecost, the Spirit does what He has always done: He reveals the “wonderful works of God.” Yet He also unveils something unexpected - the compassion of God toward the very people who crucified His Son, offering forgiveness for sins that the Levitical system had no sacrifice to cover.The episode closes by stressing that Pentecost was not a one-time event but the beginning of an ongoing reality. The same Jesus still pours out the same Spirit. The same lavish generosity is available today. And the same invitation stands: receive the Spirit, speak the heart of God, and participate in His mission through the gift of prophecy.Key Passages: Joel 2:28-28Acts 2:22-38Explainer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Video⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on how to use ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.biblehub.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.blueletterbible.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave us a question or comment at our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website podcast page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Support our podcast: make a tax deductible donation

Our world is in a desperately dark condition, but thanks be to God, who sent us His Son, Jesus, the Light of the World. In this message, Adrian Rogers reveals five things about the light of Jesus Christ.

In this episode of Spirit Connection, InLight Connection Team Members, Jordan and Lystra, are engaging with the Partners, talking about the true meaning of Christmas, the prophecies of who Jesus was birthed to be and how generational blessings can be passed from children to parents. Tune in for this rare opportunity to hear a beautiful conversation—Jesus Christ: the Greatest Gift That Keeps on Giving! How awesome to talk about an unborn child being an Everlasting Father, because God is already prophesying over his amazing Son, Jesus Christ, as being an Everlasting Father. And so, God is just prophesying Himself over the world, right? He’s prophesying who He is to us, through His Son, to the entire world. And let’s not forget He is the Prince of Peace. It just gave me this whole new perspective of what God actually places on our lives when we’re born, from the time that He conceived us in our mother’s womb. And that He was just putting in all these specifics and is so intentional with our lives. The fact that He would allow me to receive, even in dreams and visions, from my unborn child who I hadn’t even met yet. Watch Now Listen Now https://dougaddison.com/wp-content/themes/dougaddison/podcast/Podcast_231225-jesus-christ-the-greatest-gift-that-keeps-on-giving-episode-421.mp3   Find Out: The beautiful revelation of how Jesus was prophesied to the world How knowing you Identity in Christ can navigate your life How the spiritual gifts of our children can open new gift realms for us   Links Mentioned in This Episode: Christmas and New Year’s Sale! Workshop: Understand Your Dreams and Visions! Join Doug's Monthly Mentoring Sessions, via Zoom, by becoming a Partner!The post Jesus Christ: the Greatest Gift That Keeps on Giving! [Episode 421] first appeared on Doug Addison.

Why did God choose such a small, ordinary town for the birth of His Son? From prophecy to promise, Bethlehem reminds us that God often works through what seems insignificant. Join Jim Scudder on InGrace this Christmas Eve as he uncovers how this humble village changed the world forever.

When we hear the word Christmas, many of us think of all the time spent finding the perfect gifts for the ones we love. God's perfect Christmas gift for us was His Son. In this message, Jill Briscoe offers us the opportunity to have our first real Christmas through accepting the indescribable gift that God has given us. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1141/29?v=20251111

Growing In God Podcast Program Number: GIG #281 Title: Christmas, Celebrating the Son of Man   Web Description: The symbolism that most often defines Christmas is the Nativity scene. And the Nativity scene is about the reality that Christ, the Messiah, the Savior, the King of kings, was born and lived as a human being. At Christmas we are not celebrating His divinity. We are celebrating His humanity. We are celebrating the fact that He came to earth as a man who went through everything we go through and is thus able to lead us and help us through everything.   Show Notes: At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Yeshua (Jesus). When we do that, we are celebrating the birth of a human baby. Yet in our Christian faith, we think of Christ as a divine figure who always moved in a divine way. But the Christmas story is the opposite of that. The Christmas story tells us that He was a vulnerable baby who had to be cared for and protected. He had to be raised and taught like any human child.   As Christians we tend to put Christ so far above us that He is unattainable in today's life. We think, "He was perfect, but I am caught in my flesh, and I can't get out of it." That viewpoint is unscriptural. The Scriptures teach us that the Messiah is a human being. Yeshua was not born perfect. He learned obedience through the things that he suffered. He was made perfect by what He went through, just as we are being made perfect because of what we go through.   Yeshua could not be the Messiah without living in the flesh. He had to share in flesh and blood. He had to partake in the same things we partake in. He had to feel what we feel. He had to experience what we experience because He is our help. He is the aid to those who are tempted because He faced it all. He overcame the circumstances, the stress, the oppression, the futility of living in this earth where satan surrounded all that He did, seeking to kill Him every day. Therefore, He is able to help us through all those things in our daily lives.   Key Verses:   •       Read Luke 2:1–52. •       2 Corinthians 5:16. "We have known Christ according to the flesh." •       Matthew 6:10. "Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." •       Acts 1:6. "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" •       Hebrews 2:14–18. "Since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same." •       Hebrews 5:7–11. "Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered." •       Hebrews 4:14–16. "We do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses." •       Hebrews 7:24–25. "Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him." •       Romans 8:27–39. "Those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren."   Quotes:   •       "If we are going to truly celebrate the concept that is called Christmas, it is about Him being born. It is about Him living in a human life." •       "I know we will live in the days of glory. I know that we will live with Him in His Kingdom. But right now in the days of our flesh, we need help." •       "He lived in the flesh. And in the flesh, He was successful in being a human who related to God, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, who was enabled to move and enact and bring the will of God into the earth."   Takeaways:   1.    Let us celebrate Christmas this year by identifying with our Messiah as a human being—a son of man.[SP1]  2.    Let us celebrate that Yeshua did not exercise His divinity during His days on earth, but He was tempted in all things and felt our every human suffering. There is nothing we go through in our lives that He cannot relate to. 3.    Let us celebrate that Yeshua lives to intercede for us every day and ministers to us in our times of crisis and need. He is our Messiah. Our lives are meant to be lived in Him and through Him.  

Light in the Darkness | Christmas Eve ServiceIn this Christmas Eve message, Light in the Darkness, we reflect on the timeless contrast between light and darkness—seen from the very beginning of creation to the birth of Jesus, the Light of the World. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture reveals that even the smallest light pierces the deepest darkness.The Bible uses this image to describe: Nations walking through dark seasons, Personal struggles and, weary hearts. And most importantly, our spiritual reality apart from God. The core problem of the world isn't just hardship—it's the rejection of God and His ways, which leads to brokenness. But because of His great love, God sent His Son to shine light into our spiritual darkness and make a way for salvation.Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world.” His light cannot be overcome, and when we turn to Him, we move from darkness to light, from death to life, and from despair to lasting hope.This Christmas Eve message invites you to reflect, respond, and rejoice in the truth that:The darkness has not won The Light has comeAnd our future is brighter because of Jesus If you're walking through a difficult season or searching for hope this Christmas, this message is for you.

So often, our Heavenly Father isn't mentioned much during the Christmas story. We obviously hear about the birth of Jesus, and the role of the Holy Spirit making Mary be with child. But we read in John 3:16, that it was the love of the Father that compelled Him to send His Son to bring redemption to you and I. In this message, we're going to talk about that miraculous love that He's given to each of us, and how much He desires us to know Him as a good and loving Father.Visit us online at http://www.fathershouseportland.org

The Christmas story reveals a surprising truth: God chose to announce the birth of His Son not to the powerful or religious elite, but to overlooked outsiders like shepherds. From the fields of Bethlehem to a well in Samaria, Jesus consistently pursued those who felt unworthy, unseen, and far from God. This message reminds us that Christmas is not about qualifying for God's grace—but realizing He has already come looking for us.

What was the Star of Bethlehem? A miraculous light? An angel? A comet? Attorney and biblical researcher Caleb Jones brings a library of books and years of astronomical study to the basement to present the most compelling answer we've ever heard: the Star of the Magi was the combined light of Jupiter and Venus merging into a single point of light in the sky, not once, but twice.On August 12, 3 BC, a rare planetary conjunction appeared in the eastern sky for just ninety minutes before dawn and was visible only to those whose job it was to watch the stars. Ten months later, on June 17, 2 BC, an even more spectacular once-in-a-millennium conjunction occurred, visible to everyone, setting over the hill of Bethlehem at the exact location tradition holds as the house of Joseph and Mary.Caleb walks us through astronomy, ancient calendars, the chronology of Herod's death, the census of Quirinius, and why the world still counts time based on the reign of Jesus Christ. This isn't just about solving a Christmas mystery. It's about how God speaks to people where they are and even through systems He told Israel not to use. The Magi were pagan astrologers doing pagan astrology, and God used the very stars they were watching to lead them to His Son. They arrived with gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and they worshiped. The star wasn't magic. It was astronomy. And somehow, that makes it even more miraculous. Merry Christmas from Blurry Creatures! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 9:15 John 3:16 is the most familiar verse in the Bible. Many of us can recite it from memory. For millions of people, its powerful truth marked the beginning of their journey with Christ. Listen as Pastor Chuck Swindoll recounts how this verse spoke to him as a child. God loves the world—He loves you! His love is for everyone, and His call to believe in Jesus is open to all. Accept God's invitation to believe in His Son and receive His promise of eternal life.

It was Christmas Eve, and the Hutchcraft family was acting out the Christmas story. Our daughter was Mary, with a towel draped over her head. Our oldest son was Joseph, bathrobe and all. Our then two-year-old son was the closest we could come to a baby, so he was in the giant laundry basket. I was, of course, an angel dressed in a white sheet, sitting celestially on the back of the couch. And my wife - well, she wanted to be a sheep. So she was crawling around the living room floor with our sheepskin rug draped over her, doing her very best "baaa's." And the doorbell rang! It was two teenage girls from our youth group. Their folks were home getting drunk, and they were wondering if they could come to our house for a little sanity. When they came in, our Christmas players were in full gear, "baaa" and all. The door was open and we invited them right into our Christmas. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Open Door at the Manger." It was only appropriate that we should say to anyone who came to our door on Christmas Eve, "Come on in." After all, that's what God did when His Son was born that first Christmas. He threw open the door and said, "Come on in" no matter what you're like. He might be saying that to you this very day. Anybody's welcome to come on in and join God's family. How do we know? Well, for one thing, look at who got the first invitation to "come on in." Shepherds. These guys were considered the lowest of the low-lifes. They were unfit to even be allowed in God's temple. So of all the people God could invite to the first Christmas party, who does He ask to come? Shepherds. It says so in Luke 2, beginning with verse 8, in our Christmas word for today from the Word of God. "There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them..." The angel made this startling announcement: "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." So Jesus begins His life on earth by welcoming in people that most would say are definitely "not His type." Maybe that's how you feel; you're not the religious type. Maybe you, like the shepherds, have experienced your share of closed doors, rejection, condemnation, and plenty of loneliness. It could be you've done a lot of things, and made a lot of mistakes, just looking for love and acceptance. And you know you've done a lot of wrong things. But that's the very kind of people Jesus came for! The people who miss Jesus and miss heaven are the people who think they've got it all together, who are very religious and very good and they think not really in need of a Savior who died on the cross for their sins. But just like He did for those shepherds, whether you were born in church or never been in church in your life, Jesus is throwing open the door to His family and to His heaven and He's saying, "Come on in. I died. I rose again so you and I can be together forever." The greatest mistake you could ever make would be if you missed what Jesus died to give you. Can you think of a better time to throw open the door of your life to Jesus than Christmastime - the time He left heaven to come here to rescue you? He's waiting for you to reach out to Him and put your total trust in what He did for you on the cross - whatever you've done. This isn't about what you've done. It's about what He's done on the cross for you. Right where you are, at this very special time, why don't you tell Him, "Jesus, I'm Yours from this day on." Your life will never be the same. I would love to help you right now make that new beginning of making the Savior your Savior this Christmas season. I just invite you to go to our website and there you can find for yourself how to be sure you've begun this relationship with Jesus. The website is ANewStory.com. And as we celebrate the day Jesus was born, you can celebrate the day you get born into His family. Go to sleep tonight with Christ in your heart with His peace in your soul. From Him, and from our team here - Merry Christmas!

In this message, we emphasize how God sent His Son at the perfect time to redeem us from bondage under the law, granting us adoption as children and the indwelling Spirit who cries "Abba, Father."

Merry Christmas, friend.

Before Jesus could speak or walk, He was carried by ordinary people into the heart of the city. This Advent season, discover how God still chooses everyday people like you and me to carry His Son into our communities.In this message from our "Go Tell It" series, we explore Luke 2:22-38 and learn from Mary, Joseph, and a faithful man named Simeon about what it means to bring Jesus into the spaces we step into every single day.IN THIS EPISODE:How Mary and Joseph carried baby Jesus into bustling Jerusalem—and what that means for us todayWhy God chooses ordinary people to carry extraordinary news into our citiesThe powerful story of Simeon, who waited his entire life for a divine appointmentA practical DC Metro story about being obedient to the Holy Spirit's promptingUnderstanding that God has already prepared people to meet His SonWhy the outcome isn't up to us, but our obedience isA simple Advent challenge to carry Jesus to one person or place this weekKEY SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:22-38 | Romans 6:23KEY TAKEAWAYS:God chooses ordinary people like you and me to carry Jesus into every space we step into. If you're a follower of Jesus, you have God's Spirit IN you—and you carry Him wherever you go. Emmanuel means "God with us." Always with us.God has already prepared people to meet His Son. He goes before us. He prepares hearts. He arranges divine appointments. He orchestrates moments we could never plan. Your job is to show up and open your mouth!Someone in your city is waiting. Somewhere near you, someone is discouraged and waiting for hope, lonely and waiting for connection, hurting and waiting for healing, or searching and waiting for truth. God may be planning to meet them through YOU.THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE:Choose one person or one place to intentionally carry Jesus to this week. Grab our community blessing postcard (or choose your own location—emergency services, schools, medical offices, neighbors). Gather a few people and deliver cookies, coffee, a meal, or a simple gift.While you're there, say: "Because of what Jesus has done in my life, I wanted to do this one small act to share Him with you." Then ask how you can pray for them.Keep it simple. Set a date. And GO!REFLECTION QUESTIONS:Who is your "Simeon"—someone God has already prepared to meet Jesus through you?What conversation or divine appointment might God be preparing for you this week?How has someone else carried Jesus to you in your life?What's holding you back from speaking up about Jesus in your everyday spaces?Connect with Grand Point Church:

At Christmas, we often talk about love—but what does real love actually look like? Scripture reminds us that God didn't just speak love; He showed it by sending His Son so we could truly live. Join us for the message, where Pastor Robert and his wife Carolyn, explain how God's love became tangible through Jesus Christ—and how we can experience and reflect that love in our own lives.   One by One is the broadcast ministry of Pastor Robert L. Scott Jr. of Quench Life Christian Fellowship. To learn more about QLCF, visit quenchlife.org. To support our ministry as we spread the Gospel, visit quenchlife.org/giving.

Matthew 2:1–12 reminds us that truly wise people keep seeking Jesus until they find Him, even when the path is long, surprising, or humble. The Magi likely came from Persia, guided first by Scripture (Daniel, Numbers 24:17) and then by a God-given “star” that behaved more like the Old Testament pillar of fire—personal, precise, and faithful. Herod's fear contrasts with their worship; when they finally meet the Child—not in a palace but in a simple house—they fall down before Him and offer treasures that preach: gold for the King, frankincense for our Great High Priest, and myrrh for the Prophet who would suffer and save. God still leads seekers this way—through His Word, by His Spirit, to His Son—and obedience always ends in joy. - Ed Rea - Sunday, December 21, 2025

Christ Has Come – Week 4Episode Title: The Promised King & His Gift of Love*Romans 5:8; John 3:16–17; 1 John 4:9–10In this final Advent episode of Christ Has Come, Keith Harris turns our attention to the gift in which all the others converge—the love of God. Christmas is not the announcement of sentiment or seasonal warmth, but the declaration that God's saving love has entered the world in the person of Jesus Christ.Walking through three foundational passages, we see how Scripture defines God's love not by emotion, but by action.Together, we explore:How God demonstrates His love by acting first—sending Christ to die for sinners while we were still enemies (Romans 5:8).Why God gave His Son, not to condemn the world, but to rescue it through the incarnation and the cross (John 3:16–17).What love truly is, as defined by God Himself—not our love for Him, but His initiating love toward us in sending Jesus as the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:9–10).Why Christmas always leads to the cross, and how the incarnation reveals the depth, cost, and purpose of God's love.The invitation of the gospel, calling sinners to receive this love by faith and believers to rest again in the love that saves and sustains them.This episode reminds us that love is not something to admire from a distance—it is something to receive. Christmas proclaims that love has come near, taken on flesh, and walked willingly toward the cross so that sinners might live through Him.If you would like to see a written version of this study, complete with footnotes and cross-references, you can find it here.

In this episode, we end our journey at the Stable, the humble place where God chose for us to meet His Son. We reflect on the stable of our own hearts, how Jesus chooses to meet us in our own poverty now, and why His very presence brings healing. We also talk about how when we sit in our emptiness, release control, and surrender each part of our lives to God, He is able to work more powerfully in our lives. Finally, we ponder Mary's quiet and loving gaze upon the Christ Child and how we are invited to slow down and notice Jesus smiling back at us.  Friends, we've deeply enjoyed journeying with you this year. As we take a break, please know you are in our prayers. We will see you on January 19th, 2026 when Season 18 begins! Have a blessed and merry Christmas!   Heather's One Thing - Our Abiding Together staff: Camille, Kate, and Kristina! Heather's Other One Thing - The Sisters of Life new St. Francis convent in Steubenville Heather's Third One Thing - Every Sacred Sunday's Edition of the  Catechism of the Catholic Church Sister Miriam's One Thing - Our listeners and Patreon supporters. Thank you! Sister Miriam's Other One Thing - Philosophy and Healing (with Fr. Matthew Rolling) from the Restore the Glory Podcast Michelle's One Thing - The beauty of the different religious orders!   Finally, we arrive at the Stable — the poorest of places, and yet, the holiest of all. Here, in straw and silence, the Infinite takes on skin. The cry of a newborn splits the night open, and suddenly, everything is sacred again The invitation into the mess  Into our own poverty… The cry of our humanity … Worship is not what we think it will look like.    Other Resources Mentioned:  The Nativity Painting by Caravaggio Living from the Heart Jesus Gave You by Dr. James Friesen   Journal Questions: Where do I find myself in "unsatisfactory condition"? What are the scandalous places within me that I want to keep away from the Lord? How am I managing my own creativity rather than welcoming the Holy Spirit into my creativity? What beliefs am I carrying deeply about God? How does God want to heal these beliefs? Where am I afraid? How can I make space for Jesus and spend time with Him in this Christmas season?   Discussion Questions: How are you tempted to sanitize the Mystery of the Incarnation in your own life? Where in my life do I need a new perspective? When have you experienced God coming to you in a way you weren't expecting Him to? How am I seeking control in this season? How can I surrender that control? What are the stables of my life that God is inviting me into deeper surrender?   Quote to Ponder: "I am so glad Jesus was born in a stable, because my soul is so much like a stable. It's poor and in unsatisfactory condition - Yet, I believe that if Jesus can be born in a stable, maybe he can be born in me." (Dorothy Day)   Scripture for Lectio: "In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." (Luke 2:1-7)   Sponsor - Fully Mediterranean: Our sponsor today is Fully Mediterranean, a company dedicated to helping people discover the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle, a way of eating and living that is both deeply nourishing and beautifully simple. At Fully Mediterranean, they believe that good health and good food go hand in hand—and that both of these begin in the same place: around the table, where we slow down, gather, connect, and are reminded of God's goodness in the everyday moments of life. It's where we feed not only our bodies, but also our relationships. And it's often where we rediscover joy, connection, and presence. Fully Mediterranean was built on a mission to help people discover a simple, nourishing way of eating and living—a way that brings peace, beauty, and balance into everyday. Their approach is not about pressure or perfection. It's about gently integrating habits that help you live fully, with a sense of gratitude and mindfulness that aligns beautifully with our Catholic faith. What makes the Mediterranean lifestyle so special is that it's not just a way of eating; it's a way of living. It's a lifestyle shaped by mindfulness, by community, and by gratitude. It's about slowing down, savoring what God provides, and sharing meals with the people He places in our lives. It's about choosing foods that nourish the body He entrusted to us—vibrant  vegetables, wholesome grains, fresh herbs, lean proteins, and healthy fats—while also embracing the joy and connection that come from preparing and enjoying meals with others. Fully Mediterranean provides practical, realistic tools, guidance, and inspiration to help you bring these values into your kitchen and everyday life. Through recipes, programs, workshops, and practical nutrition guidance, we help women simplify healthy eating, feel confident in the kitchen, and rediscover the joy that comes from preparing meals that are both good for the body and soul-satisfying. In a world filled with noise, pressure, and quick fixes, the Mediterranean lifestyle offers something gentler and more grounded—an invitation to live intentionally, joyfully, and wholeheartedly. It encourages us to choose foods that honor the bodies God created, to gather more often with the people we love, and to find celebration in simple, nourishing routines. Whether you're looking to support your long-term health, gain energy for your daily responsibilities, or create more meaningful rhythms in your home, Fully Mediterranean is here to guide you every step of the way. We want to help you build a lifestyle that supports your well-being and draws you closer to living the full, abundant life God desires for you.  Because at Fully Mediterranean, we believe that when you nourish your body well, you nourish every part of your life. And when you gather at the table with gratitude, intention, and love, you reflect God's goodness in the most natural, beautiful way. If you're ready to bring more peace, health, and joy into your kitchen—and your life—we invite you to explore all that Fully Mediterranean offers. Discover delicious recipes, practical tips, and inspiring resources designed to help you integrate the Mediterranean way of living into your daily routine with ease and grace. Join us and use the code Abidingtogether20 to receive 20% off any of our products, including our course, ebooks and Substack membership. Join the 30-day Mediterranean challenge starting January 1st for just $8. Visit us at www.fullymediterranean.com, Substack: fullymediteranean.com.substack.com and @fullymediterranean   Chapters:   00:00 Fully Mediterranean  01:37 Intro 02:30 Welcome to the Stable 05:56 Guiding Quote and Scripture Verse 07:12 The Poverty of Our Hearts 11:26 Surrendering the Messy Parts of Our Lives 15:30 Healing Our Image of God 19:31 What it Means to Ponder 21:37 Making Space in the Midst of a Busy Season 28:27 Season 18 Announcement! 28:58 One Things   Music used under license i94Cr0 

Is it that God didn’t know how to stage a spectacular entrance for His Son? The God who created heaven and earth, hung the stars in the sky, and summons forth thunder and lightning. Was the heavenly event planner on vacation the day Jesus was born in a humble stable? No, today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how the birth of Christ happened quietly, with little fanfare, and revealed to the least likely. It was on purpose . . . and it speaks of our purpose. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 9:15 John 3:16 is the most familiar verse in the Bible. Many of us can recite it from memory. For millions of people, its powerful truth marked the beginning of their journey with Christ. Listen as Pastor Chuck Swindoll recounts how this verse spoke to him as a child. God loves the world—He loves you! His love is for everyone, and His call to believe in Jesus is open to all. Accept God's invitation to believe in His Son and receive His promise of eternal life.

Is it that God didn’t know how to stage a spectacular entrance for His Son? The God who created heaven and earth, hung the stars in the sky, and summons forth thunder and lightning. Was the heavenly event planner on vacation the day Jesus was born in a humble stable? No, today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out how the birth of Christ happened quietly, with little fanfare, and revealed to the least likely. It was on purpose . . . and it speaks of our purpose. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Visiting people who are in the hospital - I'm guessing that's not your favorite thing to do. A lot of times it's hard to know what to say to the person; especially if their condition is serious. But there are some visits where it's easy to think of things to say - like when you're visiting a new mom or a new baby. All you have to say is, "Aww, she's beautiful!" "Oh, he looks so smart; so alert" or "That's the cutest baby I've ever seen!" See, you're supposed to say these things even if the baby still looks all red and bald and wrinkled. But that first Christmas...well, one of the first people to see Mary's baby did not follow the usual script. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Strange Words For a Christmas Mom." Following the Jewish custom, Mary and Joseph brought their baby boy to the temple to be circumcised, just eight days after that first Christmas. God had someone waiting for them there - an old man named Simeon who had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the One he called "the Lord's Christ." He actually held the baby in his arms and praised God for sending Him. But then came those strange words for a new mom. In Simeon's words we find the shadow of great pain for Mary but great hope for you and me. In Luke 2:34-35, our word for today from the Word of God, "Simeon...said to Mary, His mother: 'This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel...the thoughts of many will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul, too.'" That's not exactly what a new mom wants to hear. But eight days into Jesus' life on earth, Simeon is foreshadowing the end of Jesus' life. The Bible tells us that 33 years later "near the cross stood His mother" (John 19:25). And surely, as Mary saw her boy nailed to a cross and pierced by a soldier's spear, that sword Simeon spoke of must have pierced her soul. So as we sing our "sleep in heavenly peace" and "joy to the world" carols, let's not miss the shadow looming over the manger. It's the shadow of a cross. But that cross was not some tragic twist of fate. It was the plan of a God who loves you so very much. It was His plan to give you and me a chance to go to heaven instead of hell; to enjoy the relationship with God we were made for but we've missed because we're running our own lives. And if there had been any other way to erase your sin from God's book and pay for your sin, believe me, God would have done it. But all your goodness, and your religion, and your Christianity can't pay sin's death penalty. Someone had to die to pay for it, and Someone did - the Son of God. The writer of the classic carol, "What Child Is This" expressed it powerfully: "Nails, spear shall pierce Him through, the cross be borne for me, for you; hail, hail, the Word made flesh, the Babe, the son of Mary." So you've had your Christmases, you've celebrated Jesus' coming. Have you ever had your Good Friday where you stand at the foot of that cross and say the two words that are the difference between heaven and hell, "For me, Jesus. And I'm giving me to You." That's the only way you can receive the gift of eternal life that He died to give you. Have you known about Jesus all your life but maybe missed that step? If you've never done that, let this be your Jesus-day. You'll have a lot more to celebrate than just Jesus' coming to earth. This season you'll celebrate His coming into your life. If that's what you want, tell Him right now, "Jesus, I want to belong to You. I am taking for myself what You died for on the cross." What a new beginning this will be for you. A lot of people have found help in beginning that relationship at our website. And I want to invite you to check it out this very day. It's ANewStory.com. It wasn't just Mary's heart that was pierced on that awful day on Skull Hill. We can only imagine the anguish in God the Father's heart, watching His Son be broken for you. So you can be sure that God will never forget what you do with His Son.

God is real. His Son is real. Our faith in them is strengthened as we learn more completely about them and have sacred experiences with them. Click here to see the speech page.Support the show: https://ldsp-pay.ldschurch.org/donations/byu/byu-speeches.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Christmas message from Hebrews 10, we're reminded why God gave His Son and how that truth should change the way we live. Jesus came not only to forgive our sins, but to give us full access to God and a finished salvation. This message challenges us to move beyond routine faith and live differently in light of what Jesus has done. Thank you for listening to the Truth for Today Podcast! For more content from Pastor Terry Fant, click the links below! www.youtube.com/@terryfant885 www.facebook.com/terry.fant.14 www.instagram.com/pastorterryfant https://www.truthfortodayministries.org    

"In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." -1 John 4:9-10   Welcome to The Adoption & Foster Care Journey—a podcast to encourage, educate and equip you as you care for children in crisis through adoption, foster care and kinship care.   On this episode, host Sandra Flach, completes her annual Advent series. Tune in this week as she shares the final Advent message about the arrival of God's greatest gift of love.   She also shares a Holiday Survival Parenting Tip and a prayer for foster and adoptive parents.   Listen to Sandra's Advent message—Love Arrives, Shines & Saves on Episode 511 wherever you get your podcasts.   Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it on your social media. Links mentioned in this episode: The Adoption & Foster Care Journey justicefororphansny.org justicefororphansny.org/hope-community     Email:  sandraflach@justicefororphansny.org sandraflach.com Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father book on Amazon Filled Retreat ReNew Retreat in NC

This week, Pastor Chris' message explored the wonder of Jesus' name, foretold in Scripture as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. The most powerful name of all reveals who Jesus is and what He brings to a restless world. From God's great love in sending His Son to the peace, strength, and hope found in Him, we discover that the name of Jesus is not just a title, but the promise of salvation and new life.

This message is from our "God Gave" series.John 3:16 reveals a God who loved first, offering His Son so the world could know Him personally. In this series, we'll see salvation as a gift we receive through faith. We'll explore God's generous love and how it shapes our response as we give our first and best back to Him in gratitude and devotion.Crosspoint City is one church in multiple locations and we exist to relentlessly pursue those far from God to help them know and follow Jesus. To help support this mission and work, visit https://mycpcc.com/giveSTAY CONNECTED:Facebook: https://mycpcc.com/facebookInstagram: https://mycpcc.com/instagramTiktok: https://mycpcc.com/tiktok

This week in our Advent series, we are reflecting on the love of God revealed in the gift of His Son. John 3:16 reminds us, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” God's love is personal, sacrificial, and transformative. He gave what was most precious to Him so that one day we could be where He is. Therefore, the gift of Jesus is the most profound and useful gift we will ever receive. Jesus came to bridge the gap between God and humanity. He became flesh so that we could understand God's heart. Romans 8:32 assures us that if God did not spare His Son, He will graciously provide for all our needs. God's love is not only for us to receive but also for us to share, flowing through us to bless others and extend His kingdom. This Christmas, let's reflect on the love we have received and consider how we can share it with those around us. Where do you need to receive God's love this season? Who needs to experience Christ's love through you? Let's conclude this Advent season with hearts ready to receive and hands prepared to share, living as a people transformed by the greatest love story ever told.

Everything You're Looking For - "Wrapping Up Christmas...with LOVE" - 1 John 4:9-11; Nehemiah 9:17; John 13:34-35 Love is something we all talk about, sing about, and long for—yet our search for it often leaves us feeling empty. Scripture reminds us that true love is found in God, whose love never fails. That unfailing love is fully revealed in Jesus. As John 3:16 declares, God so loved the world that He gave His Son. When we receive this kind of love, it changes how we live. We are called to love one another, reflecting the same selfless, enduring love God has shown to us.

Every year people spend a month (or more) with Christmas on their minds. They decorate their homes - inside and out - and buy gifts for loved ones in anticipation of one singular day on the calendar. Christian and non-Christian alike celebrate together in this way.While the traditions and excitement are fun and certainly not sinful, the depth of the day we celebrate is easily lost on us. Even as faithful Christians, many of us fly right past the fact that we are celebrating the day God became a man. We have lost the wonder of God in flesh.In fact, without the truth that Jesus is God, Christmas is meaningless. It could be a celebration of the birth of a great man - even a sacrificial man - but if He was not God, He has not saved us.In this series, we will be spending the month on the important doctrine of the deity of Jesus - it truly is the wonder of it all.--In week four, we look at the motivation of God's plan to send His Son in human flesh to rescue us. It was love that compelled Him because He was not creating a faith - He was creating a family.

In What Child Is This?, we explore the powerful prophecy of Isaiah 9:1–7, a Christmas passage that reaches far beyond the manger and into the heart of God's redemptive plan for the world. Isaiah reveals that the first rays of Messiah's light did not shine in Jerusalem's temple but in despised Galilee, a region crushed by Assyria and mocked by the world. God intentionally chose the darkest and most overlooked place to announce the coming of His Son, proving that divine hope shines brightest where human hope has failed. Galilee would later become the launch point of Jesus' earthly ministry, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy and revealing God's grace to the humble, the broken, and the forgotten. Isaiah also unveils the identity of the Child: Wonderful Counselor, divine wisdom beyond human understanding. Mighty God, fully God in human flesh. Everlasting Father, the source and sustainer of eternal life. Prince of Peace, the One who will ultimately end all war and rebellion. This Child is not merely a baby in a manger. He is the rightful King who will sit on David's throne, rule the nations, and establish a kingdom of justice, righteousness, and everlasting peace. Scripture declares that the zeal of the Lord will accomplish this without fail. Christmas is the down payment of the Kingdom. The cradle guarantees the crown. The First Advent assures the Second. This message calls us to see Christmas not only as a moment in history, but as a promise of what is still to come.

Christmas invites us into the ancient tradition of Advent, a season of anticipation that points to both the birth of Jesus and His promised return. We are reminded that Christmas is more than tradition; it is a divine rescue story. In our brokenness and need, God sent His Son, the light of the world, to bring forgiveness, reconciliation, and new life. As recipients of that grace, we are called to remember Christ's coming and reflect His light together as a community marked by love and hope in a dark world. Speaker: Brad Bell

There is a popular holiday movie based on an award-winning children's book called “The Polar Express.” In the story, a young boy is unable to hear the bells at Christmas. The reason? The disappointment of life had dimmed his belief and wonder. It was only after a magical encounter that he was able to believe again.Now, I know that story is about Santa Claus, but there are some striking parallels to our walk of faith. Life in this cold, dark world has a way of dimming our belief, too.Maybe this Christmas, the bells in your heart have gone silent. You once believed in a good, loving, powerful God – back when you were a kid.  But then life got in the way. The doubts began to creep in.  To you who struggle to believe that there is a God who's in control, who cares, and who understands, Christmas holds the answers to your questions. Is God in control? God literally moved heaven and earth to fulfill His purposes for mankind. He moved the heart of a king so His Son would be born in Bethlehem. He can handle whatever you're facing. Does God understand? Jesus didn't come as a conquering king or as some sort of superhero.  He came as a baby to dirt-poor parents among a marginalized people.  But even more, He was born in a barn and slept in a feeding trough, wrapped in rags. Why? So that we would never wonder if He knows what it's like to really live in this cold, dark world under the worst of circumstances.  In “The Polar Express,” there's a great line offered by the train's conductor in his attempt to get Billy to at least investigate the possibility of another reality.  He says to him, “Sometimes the most real things in this world are the things we can't see.”The Apostle Peter thought the same thing. He wrote, “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him.  And even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” (1 Pet. 1:8)God came to our world and faced all of its ugliness firsthand. He understands exactly what you and I face – because He faced it too. God came to earth in human form, seeking us.And if you will go on an honest pursuit of Him, God promises that you will find Him (Jer. 29:13).  And you, too, will be changed for the better.   Text: Is. 9:2, 6-7; 1 Pet. 1:8; Jer. 29:13Originally recorded on December 24, 2007, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN

Paul shows us that Advent's long waiting ends not in new rules, but in God sending His Son to turn slaves into sons. With Pastor Kaleb.

John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 9:15 John 3:16 is the most familiar verse in the Bible. Many of us can recite it from memory. For millions of people, its powerful truth marked the beginning of their journey with Christ. Listen as Pastor Chuck Swindoll recounts how this verse spoke to him as a child. God loves the world—He loves you! His love is for everyone, and His call to believe in Jesus is open to all. Accept God's invitation to believe in His Son and receive His promise of eternal life.

The Christmas season can easily become crowded with distractions, expectations, and material pressures that pull our focus away from Christ. Yet Scripture reminds us that Christmas is not about gifts or gatherings—it is about the Savior who came to rescue us. Luke 2:11–14 proclaims the good news that Jesus, the Messiah, was born in humility to bring peace and salvation to the world. When we pause to remember the sacrifice God made by sending His Son, our hearts are re-centered on the true meaning of Christmas. No matter our financial situation or circumstances, the greatest gift has already been given—Jesus Himself. Main Takeaways You’ll learn how materialism can subtly shift the focus of Christmas away from Christ. Discover why Jesus is truly the reason for the season, regardless of circumstances. Reflect on how financial stress does not diminish the joy or meaning of Christmas. Understand the significance of Christ’s humble birth and God’s redemptive love. Be encouraged to place your hope, praise, and gratitude in Jesus—the greatest gift of all. Bible Verse References Luke 2:11–14 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/luke/passage/?q=luke+2:11-14 Psalm 73:25 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/73-25.html Your Daily Prayer Dear Jesus, thank You for coming into the world to save me. You left heaven, lived a sinless life, and died the death I deserved so I could have eternal life. Help me keep You at the center of my heart and my celebrations this Christmas season. Guard my heart from being distracted by material things, and teach me to pursue You above all else. You are truly the reason for the season, and I praise You with gratitude and joy.Amen. Want More? Subscribe to Your Daily Prayer for daily devotionals rooted in Scripture. Leave a rating or review to help others discover the podcast. Visit LifeAudio.com to explore more faith-filled podcasts. Find more Christmas devotionals and biblical encouragement at Crosswalk.com and Christianity.com. Relevant Links & Resources Christmas devotionals and faith-based articles:Crosswalk.com – https://www.crosswalk.comChristianity.com – https://www.christianity.com Study today’s Scripture passages at:BibleStudyTools.com – https://www.biblestudytools.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.