Podcasts about Advent

In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah predicted that the Messiah would be a King with a reign like no other. Today, R.C. Sproul considers what this prophecy teaches us about Christ and the kingdom He came to establish. Request R.C. Sproul's devotional book The Advent of Glory, plus lifetime digital access to his teaching series Coming of the Messiah, with your donation of any amount: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4514/offer   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Get the digital teaching series with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Merry Christmas from the Renewing Your Mind team. Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Twenty-three days ago, a mysterious advent calendar arrived on Officer Matthew Klein's doorstep — no sender, no return address, just a heavy wooden box with twenty-four numbered doors and a carved face with hollow eyes. Since then, every trinket inside has proven to be an omen of death, each prophecy fulfilled in violence and horror. The entity behind it is Zurvan, an ancient demon from Persian Mithraism — the same demon ten-year-old Matthew accidentally summoned through a spirit board on Christmas Eve, 1995, the night his house burned and his family died while he ran. Now Zurvan has returned to finish what he started, possessing Matthew's loved ones, murdering those around him, and enforcing one rule: open each door on schedule, or suffer consequences beyond imagination. Matthew tried to destroy the calendar. It came back. He refused to open a door. Snakes attacked his son. Now it's December 24th — the final door, the culmination of Zurvan's ancient mid-winter celebration — and Matthew is engulfed in flames, his home burning, his family scattered in the chaos. The countdown ends today.Get the print version of the novel: https://weirddarkness.com/AdventOfEvil#WeirdDarkness #ChristmasHorror #HolidayHorror #SupernaturalThriller #HauntedCalendar #DarkChristmas #HorrorStory #DemonicEvil #CreepyTales #YuletideTerror

In the Christmas narrative, angels came to deliver "good news of great joy" to us. Good news of great joy doesn't mean everything is going to be easy, but it does mean our assignments will be meaningful and well-rewarded. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson teaches about the theme for the third week of Advent: joy. We may be tempted to grumble when facing trials, but God calls us to endure with joy. It's counterintuitive to our human natures, but with the Holy Spirit's help, we can find true joy in the midst of hardship. God is moving in the earth, and we want to be a part of what He's doing in His Kingdom, so let's choose to cultivate joy—sustaining, eternal, and supernatural joy.

“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.

Today’s Bible Verse “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” — Matthew 2:11 Matthew 2:11 captures the heart of Christmas worship. The Magi traveled far, followed faithfully, and when they finally encountered Jesus, their response was surrender. They bowed, they worshiped, and they offered their treasures. On Christmas Day, this verse reminds us that worship is more than words—it’s a posture of the heart. Jesus doesn’t ask for what we can afford to give; He invites us to offer what we value most. True worship begins when we recognize who He is and respond with our whole selves. From all of us at Lifeaudio & Your Daily Bible Verse team: Merry Christmas! Want to listen without ads? Become a BibleStudyTools.com PLUS Member today: https://www.biblestudytools.com/subscribe Meet Today’s Host: Reverend Jessica Van Roekel

Text: Titus 2.11-14 Speaker: Lance Williams Date: December 24, 2025

Advent 2025: More Than A Baby | Is 9:6-7; Luke 2:1-20

Homily from The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) What if all I received was HIM this Christmas? We have waited for Jesus—and now that He is here, true gratitude is shown by living fully in the gift of His presence and love. Mass Readings from December 25, 2025:Isaiah 52:7-10 Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6Hebrews 1:1-6 John 1:1-18

Was Jesus really born miraculously to a virgin? Today, R.C. Sproul explains that the virgin birth of Christ is far from a matter of debate or personal interpretation—it's an essential truth of Scripture and the Christian faith. Request R.C. Sproul's devotional book The Advent of Glory, plus lifetime digital access to his teaching series Coming of the Messiah, with your donation of any amount: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4514/offer   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Get the digital teaching series with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Renewing Your Mind has a YouTube channel. Subscribe now and receive each day's episode: https://www.youtube.com/@rymradio   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Twenty-two days ago, a mysterious advent calendar arrived on Officer Matthew Klein's doorstep — no sender, no explanation, just twenty-four doors and a carved bearded face with hollow eyes. Since then, Marshport has become a graveyard. The entity behind it has a name now: Zurvan, an ancient demon whose mid-winter worship culminates on December 24th — the same demon that ten-year-old Matthew and his seven-year-old brother Steven accidentally summoned through a spirit board on Christmas Eve, 1995, the night their house burned to the ground. Zurvan has possessed Matthew's best friend, his own son, and a detective whose head he twisted completely around. On December 22nd, he proved the Bible verse about Legion true — the decomposing corpse of Wilbur Ward rose from the basement, levitated through the hallway, and snapped Pastor Hart's neck like kindling. Matthew's world went dark. The demon's final words echoed into oblivion: "Time's up." Two doors remain. Two days until Zurvan's celebration officially arrives.Get the print version of the novel: https://weirddarkness.com/AdventOfEvil#WeirdDarkness #ChristmasHorror #HolidayHorror #SupernaturalThriller #HauntedCalendar #DarkChristmas #HorrorStory #DemonicEvil #CreepyTales #YuletideTerror

We will need the joy of the Lord and the strength that comes with it to complete our God-assignments. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses joy, the theme for the third week of Advent. Joy is a spiritual fuel that enables us to endure and overcome, and Pastor Allen shares examples from Nehemiah and Daniel, who flourished in hardship, to model how we, too, can rely on God to supply us with the strength we need. Our world seems to be darker day by day, but this Christmas season, let's overcome evil with the joy that comes from celebrating the birth of our Savior and King. 

Merry Christmas! Dave and Gomer have a short but special Christmas message about the incarnation of God. We hope and pray your Christmas season is filled with the joy and peace of Christ! We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your questions/comments Don't forget to text “EKSB” to 33-777 to get the shownotes right to your inbox! You can also find the full shownotes at www.ascensionpress.com/EveryKneeShallBow

Here are all the gifts Brady and Tim shared for Advent in 2025.Patreon supporters will have enjoyed these daily through December. But don't miss our newly appended outro (about 3:58:00)And Patrons can go to the Request Room for a final chat, debrief, and questions about the process - plus some general festive chat and a “mini Christmas sermon” from Tim.The Request Room Christmas Special - https://www.patreon.com/posts/146498257If you'd like to play a bingo game while listening, here is a grid (contains spoilers) - https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5990824849fc2b4c4fe4211b/t/6949ab9632295c68ccec89ab/1766435747220/mega+grid.jpgSupport us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/unmadeFMJoin the discussion of this episode on our subreddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/Unmade_Podcast/Catch the episode on YouTube with accompanying pictures - https://youtu.be/NqXUv9cdt8EList of all the gifts with AI-generated valuations - Feel free to copy and have a play around (contains spoilers) - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13p3nnIoPUmkK5CThXbkso4VdonUZuTeDVP_jmezglcQ/edit?usp=sharing

This week, Paul reflects on Isaiah 53 to show how the beauty of Christmas is found in the beautiful and costly “job description” of the spotless Lamb.Join us for a weekly narration of Paul Tripp's popular devotional. You can subscribe to our email list to receive this devotional straight to your inbox each week, or read online at PaulTripp.com/Wednesday or on Facebook, Instagram, and the Paul Tripp App.If you've been enjoying the Wednesday's Word podcast, please leave us a review! Each review helps us reach more people with the transforming power of Jesus Christ.Partner with Paul Tripp Ministries:PaulTripp.com/Give

An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart: Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Part Four: Welcoming Christ with a Heart Fully Awake DAY 25 – Adoration “O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker.” Psalm 95.6 RSV ... Read more The post Day 25 – Adoration – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Today’s Bible Verse: “Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” — Luke 2:38 Luke 2:38 introduces us to Anna—a woman whose long faithfulness turned into bold testimony. After years of worship, prayer, and waiting, she recognized the Savior and couldn’t keep the news to herself. Her response was gratitude followed by proclamation. Want to listen without ads? Become a BibleStudyTools.com PLUS Member today: https://www.biblestudytools.com/subscribe Meet Today’s Host: Carol Ogle McCracken

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent by Dr. John Bergsma. Advent Weekday First Reading: Second Samuel 7: 1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 89: 2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29 Gospel: Luke 1: 67-79   Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com Bible Across America is a new FREE Scripture study initiative that brings Catholics together to read and study God's Word from the heart of the Church. Join Dr. Shane Owens—Associate Professor of Theology at Franciscan University—together with Fr. Boniface Hicks, Alex Jones, Katie McGrady, and Heather Khym for our Advent Bible Across America study. Sign up to join the movement today at www.stpaulcenter.com/america

A new MP3 sermon from Alpha and Omega Ministries is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Advent Traditions, Anti-Reformed Rants and Arguments Subtitle: The Dividing Line 2025 Speaker: Dr. James White Broadcaster: Alpha and Omega Ministries Event: Podcast Date: 12/23/2025 Length: 68 min.

On this special Christmas Eve episode of GPS: God. People. Stories., hear four testimonies that each carry a theme of the Advent season—hope, peace, joy, and love. From a young boy who found the hope of Jesus Christ after living on the streets of Uganda to a U.S. Army chaplain who experienced the ultimate peace that only comes from Christ. These stories will point you to the true reason we celebrate Christmas. Connect with us through email at gps@billygraham.org or on Facebook at Billy Graham Radio. If you'd like to know more about beginning a relationship with Jesus Christ, or deepening the faith you already have, visit FindPeacewithGod.net. If you'd like to pray with someone, call our Billy Graham 24/7 Prayer Line at 855-255-7729. 

Transcription [Daniel Gluck] Welcome to Bridgeway Christian Church’s Daily Advent Prayer. My name is Daniel Gluck, and I’ve been a part of the Bridgeway community for about 18 years now. Today is Wednesday, December 24th. Each Wednesday of Advent, we pray through a short scripture and take a few minutes to listen quietly for what […]

This short guided Christian prayer will help you rest in the love of Christ that came down at Christmas—a love that reaches to the heavens and never lets go. Through Scripture and stillness, you’ll be reminded that God’s love is constant, tender, and near.Take a deep breath, and let His love surround you today. Helpful Links:Download your FREE Be Still Advent guide here.This journal includes:• All the Scriptures for this series• Weekly reflection prompts• Space to record what God is revealing to you Find out more information and purchase the Guided Retreat at https://www.jodieniznik.com/guided-retreat Additional links: You can find out more about me, Jodie, at http://www.jodieniznik.com/ Follow me on Instagram @jodieniznik Follow me on Facebook @JodieGNiznik Learn more about Scripture meditation and download a FREE Guided Scripture Meditation Journal here. Join my Monday email newsletter here, where I send links to the newest meditation every Monday morning. Find out more about my partner, Life Audio, at lifeaudio.com. Download FREE sample chapters from my Bible studies here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Gospel Luke 1:67-79 Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hand of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Reflection This passage gives us a keen insight into what it means to be a prophet to prophesy. As you listen to this, you wonder, how did Zechariah know that this would be the ministry of John? John's ministry was so unusual, so radically different. But it does imply that the Holy Spirit does reveal to people things they can't fully understand yet, and yet they are assigned to all of us of a message that is coming not just from humans, but from the Holy Spirit who is working through human beings, accomplishing the task of bringing salvation to the world. Closing Prayer Father, the beauty of a ministry like John the Baptist was to break with the old and introduce the new, it never ceases to be necessary. Always we're called to renew our understanding from what we've been told to what we now know through the work of the Holy Spirit. Bless us with the capacity to change. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Fathers do not flatter us here. They speak with a severity that at first wounds, then heals, if we allow it. They do not treat resentment as a minor flaw of temperament or a passing emotional reaction. They name it for what it is: a poison that slowly erodes the soul's capacity to remember God. Abba Makarios goes straight to the heart of the matter. To remember wrongs is not simply to remember events. It is to allow those events to take up residence within us, to become a lens through which everything is filtered. The tragedy is not primarily that we remain hurt. It is that the remembrance of God grows faint. The mind cannot hold both rancor and divine remembrance at the same time. One displaces the other. When resentment is cherished, prayer becomes difficult, then hollow, then distorted. The heart turns inward and begins to feed on its own injuries. The Fathers are unsparing here because they know how subtle rancor is. Other sins shock us into repentance. A lie, a fall, a moment of weakness often leaves the soul groaning almost immediately. But rancor settles in quietly. It eats and sleeps with us. It walks beside us like a companion we no longer question. Abba Isaiah and the Elder of the Cells both know this danger. Resentment does not merely coexist with spiritual life; it corrodes it from within, like rust consuming iron. The soul grows hard while imagining itself justified. And yet, alongside this severity, there is a startling tenderness. The Fathers do not say that healing comes through argument, vindication, or emotional catharsis. They prescribe something far more humbling and far more powerful: prayer for the one who has wounded us. Not a feeling of goodwill, not an internal resolution, but the concrete act of standing before God and interceding. Again and again the teaching is the same. Pray for him. Pray for her. Force yourself if you must. Obey even when the heart resists. The story of the brother who obeyed the Elder and prayed is quietly miraculous. Nothing dramatic happens. There is no confrontation, no apology demanded, no psychological analysis. Within a week, the anger is gone. Not suppressed. Extinguished. Grace works where the will yields, even reluctantly. The healing is not self-generated. It is given. The account of the two brothers under persecution reveals just how serious this is. One accepts reconciliation and is strengthened beyond his natural limits. The other clings to ill will and collapses under the same torments. The difference is not courage or endurance. It is love. Grace remains where love remains. When rancor is chosen, protection is withdrawn, not as punishment, but because the soul has closed itself to the very atmosphere in which grace operates. St. Maximos names the interior mechanism with precision. Distress clings to the memory of the one who harmed us. The image of the person becomes fused with pain. Prayer loosens that bond. When we pray, distress is separated from memory. Slowly, the person is no longer experienced as an enemy but as a suffering human being in need of mercy. Compassion does not excuse the wrong. It dissolves its power. What is perhaps most astonishing is the Fathers' confidence that kindness can heal not only the one who was wounded, but the one who wounds. Be kind to the person who harbors resentment against you, St. Maximos says, and you may deliver him from his passion. This is not naïveté. It is spiritual realism. Demons feed on mutual hostility. They lose their dwelling place when humility and gentleness appear. Foxes flee when the ground is no longer hospitable. St. Ephraim's image is unforgettable. Rancor drives knowledge from the heart the way smoke drives away bees. The heart was made to gather sweetness. When bitterness fills the air, nothing can remain. Tears, prayer, and the offering of oneself like incense clear the space again. This teaching is beautiful because it is honest. It does not minimize the pain of insult or harm. It is challenging because it leaves us without excuses. We cannot claim prayer while nursing grudges. We cannot claim suffering for Christ while secretly rejoicing at another's downfall. The path offered is narrow and costly, but it is also liberating. Resentment chains us to the past. Kindness loosens the chain. Prayer opens the hand. Grace does the rest. --- Text from chat during the group: 00:04:55 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Page 332 Section B Hypothesis XLII Volume II 00:11:28 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Page 332 Section B Hypothesis XLII Volume II 00:11:41 Janine: Yes, thank you Uncle Father! 00:11:57 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Reacted to "Yes, thank you Uncle..." with

This 16-minute guided meditation invites you to review your Advent meditations, to hold silence on the threshold between Advent and Christmas, and to imagine God’s new life being born again within you. Dear Ones— This guided meditation is for anyone who has been praying throughout Advent and would like to hold a moment of stillness between the longing and hope of Advent, and the celebratory feast of Christmas. You are invited to be still, to wait, to remember, to imagine. We are held in the paradox between what is and what is to come, the paradox between our poverty, our dependence, our frailty and the fullness of life that is poured out to us each and every day. We pause here to acknowledge that tension, to attend to the Holy One who comes anew in us. References in the meditation: Lamentations 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Isaiah 43:19 See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? Prayer of Teilhard de Chardin (excerpted from Hearts on Fire, Praying with the Jesuits) Above all, trust in the slow work of God.We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay.We should like to skip the intermediate stages.We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new. And yet it is the law of all progressthat it is made by passing through some stages of instability—and that it may take a very long time. And so I think it is with you;your ideas mature gradually—let them grow,let them shape themselves, without undue haste.Don't try to force them on,as though you could be today what time(that is to say, grace and circumstances acting on your own good will)will make of you tomorrow. Only God could say what this new spiritgradually forming within you will be.Give Our Lord the benefit of believingthat his hand is leading you,and accept the anxiety of feeling yourselfin suspense and incomplete. Blessings, Dear One…. Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer – space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God's love for you today – drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina. Sign up for Lissy's newsletter “The Contemplative Window” or find out about upcoming retreats here. You can support the show by sharing it with a friend, rating it on your preferred podcast platform, making a one-off donation or becoming a member. Thank you so much! All music by Pete Hatch. The post Pause for Christmas Eve – A Guided Meditation appeared first on Contemplative at Home.

On Sunday, Pete read the Angels' Song from Luke 2. The Angels' Song is one of hope realized.  The angels come to the lowly shepherds to announce the good news of Christ's birth. The Messiah is finally here, peace is available to all people. The angel chorus glorifies God for this great gift, and gives an important key for how this peace is actually obtained.  It is by our faith that God is pleased. When we entrust all of ourselves to Christ, we receive all that he is. This life of peace with God pours over into all of life, making the same gift that we received, available to all those we encounter. 

The culmination of the entire old covenant

Emmanuel: God With Us: Let the King of Glory Enter Today's Homily centers on the Advent call to welcome the King of Glory . . . . . . Emmanuel, God with us . . . through obedience and trust, rather than self-reliance. Drawing from Matthew's Gospel and the Psalm proclamation, the homily presents three figures as models of response to God's invitation. King Ahaz represents the human tendency to solve problems independently, refusing God's offer of guidance and ultimately falling into bondage. Saint Paul embodies humble submission, identifying himself as a servant whose mission flows entirely from God's grace. Saint Joseph stands as the ultimate model of obedient faith, listening to God's word and allowing divine will to direct his life. The Homily culminates in the affirmation that Emmanuel is not distant: Christ remains present among the faithful, especially in the poor, the suffering, and the gathered community. As Advent concludes, believers are invited to examine their attitude . . . self-sufficiency or obedient trust . . . and to welcome God who desires to dwell in their midst. Listen to Emmanuel: God With Us: Let the King of Glory Enter The Adoration of the Shepherds: Italian Painter: Giorgione: 1510 Why was this image selected: The intimate presence of God among ordinary people reflects Emmanuel's nearness. The painting's quiet reverence aligns with the homily's emphasis on God dwelling with us in daily life.

Rev. Austin Pfeiffer shows how the Christmas story reveals a deep human power struggle: from Rachel's tears to Herod's fear, Matthew is exposing our anxiety-driven desire to control what only God can rule. Herod becomes a mirror of our own hearts, where fear of losing our “little kingdoms” leads us to resist Christ the King. Advent invites us to lay down that anxious control and find true freedom by surrendering to the King who conquers not through violence, but through self-giving love.

On today's episode, we discuss what Advent really is, how the candle colors and readings point to hope, peace, love, joy, and finally Christ, and why many low-church Protestants grew up never hearing about it at all. The conversation wrestles with whether Christians should say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays” in public spaces, and how to navigate witnessing without turning restaurants and workplaces into unwanted mission fields. Jimmy then digs into the history behind Christmas, arguing it is not borrowed from pagan festivals, explaining how early Christians connected Jesus' conception and death dates, and showing how commerce, Santa marketing, and Rudolph ads have reshaped the season. Along the way, the hosts have fun with Saint Nicholas as a gift-giver who also “punched heretics,” joke about Druids and Christmas trees, and reflect on wanting Christmas back as a truly Christian holy day rather than a generic winter break. Don't miss it!

It's funny how family resemblances work, isn't it? Facial characteristics, even vocal qualities, passed on from generation to generation. In the same way Jesus embodied the characteristics and nature of His father. Jesus said, “He who has seen me has seen the Father.” Pastor Ricky will be teaching from Isaiah, using the prophecies about the Messiah to show how the qualities of God the Father will be present in He who is to be the Savior of the world, showing His love for us as well.

Pastor David Coons - Luke 1:57-80

Pastor Jay Ewing reflects on the name Jesus—the heart of Christmas and the reason He came. This Christmas Eve episode invites listeners to slow down, whisper His name with wonder, and rejoice that God has come not merely to inspire us, but to save us.

https://www.bathtubmermaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/TBM-2512-24-DDOA-Midnight.mp3 Description: Welcome to the Dog Days of Advent. I made a list of prompts, and wrote a bite-sized story for each one. They don’t live in the same universe, but they’re all a little off-kilter from what you might expect from holiday fare. And if you pay attention, you’ll notice that the last line of each story becomes the first line of the next. Today’s prompt is Midnight.  Excerpt Jean—called Grandma Love by strangers more often than family—felt that familiar tilt in the air. The almost-midnight tilt. Midnight wasn't a time so much as a mood, a soft doorway between one thing and the next. She'd always been good with doorways.   Episode Cast: Melissa A. Bartell Links and References Transcript: Midnight Dog Days of Advent Credits: The Bathtub Mermaid: Tales from the Tub is written and produced by Melissa A. Bartell, and is recorded and produced using Audacity. Bathtub Mermaid blog header art was created by Rebecca Moran of Moran Media Sound Effects and Music are from Freesound and UppBeat Music Used: O Holy Night Contact: BlueSky: @melysse.bsky.social Facebook: MissMelysse Instagram: @Melysse Mastodon: @Melysse Email: missmelysse@gmail.com Or, leave a comment on this page.  

Weihnachten naht auch beim OHRENBÄR: Hoppla! Was macht ein Elefant im Kaufhaus? Mitten im Advent taucht er dort auf. Natalie freundet sich mit ihm an und hilft ihm weiter. OHRENBÄR-Folge: Ein Elefant im Kaufhaus von Annette Herzog. Es liest: Martina Gedeck. ▶ Mehr Hörgeschichten empfohlen ab 4: https://www.ohrenbaer.de/podcast/empfohlen-ab-4.html ▶ Mehr Infos unter https://www.ohrenbaer.de & ohrenbaer@rbb-online.de

Weihnachten naht auch beim OHRENBÄR: Hoppla! Was macht ein Elefant im Kaufhaus? Mitten im Advent taucht er dort auf. Natalie freundet sich mit ihm an und hilft ihm weiter. OHRENBÄR-Folge: Ein Elefant im Kaufhaus von Annette Herzog. Es liest: Martina Gedeck. ▶ Mehr Hörgeschichten empfohlen ab 4: https://www.ohrenbaer.de/podcast/empfohlen-ab-4.html ▶ Mehr Infos unter https://www.ohrenbaer.de & ohrenbaer@rbb-online.de

In Season 6, we are featuring reflections from our 2025 Advent devotional, Advent in Durham: Visit Us. Christmas Eve, Rev. Emily Wilkes. Read online at www.durhamcares.org/advent.  Theme Music: Peaceful by Luca Fraula Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5169-peaceful License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 

The birth of Jesus Christ was not first declared by angels near Bethlehem or prophets in ancient Israel. Today, R.C. Sproul shows that the Savior's arrival was originally promised by God in the garden of Eden. Request R.C. Sproul's devotional book The Advent of Glory, plus lifetime digital access to his teaching series Coming of the Messiah, with your donation of any amount: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4514/offer   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Get the digital teaching series with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Learn more about becoming a Ligonier Ministry Partner: https://renewingyourmind.org/partner   Tune out the noise and tune in to RefNet, Ligonier's free 24/7 internet radio app. Download today and start listening: http://refnet.fm/app   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.   Meet the Host:   Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Christmas is the story of Love stepping toward us — yet for many of us, love is still the place where our deepest questions live. Why is it hard to give? Why is it even harder to receive? And what does Advent have to do with it?In this final Advent episode, Kaley Olson, Wendy Blight, and Ellen Adkins explore what Scripture reveals about the human heart — and why Jesus came to transform it from the inside out. You'll get a freeing look at why hostility toward God shows up in all of us, how the Holy Spirit enables a new kind of love we could never muster on our own, and a tender invitation to receive the love God is offering right now.With biblical teaching, honest reflection, and a prayer for anyone longing for a fresh start with God, this episode reminds us: His love isn't distant or conditional. It's personal, present … and it's meant for you.You'll learn:Why Scripture says our natural hearts resist God — and how Advent reveals Jesus' plan to transform them.What God's steadfast love looks like throughout the Bible and why we often struggle to receive it.How the Holy Spirit enables us to love God and others in ways we cannot on our own.A simple prayer and practical steps for beginning or renewing a relationship with Jesus this Christmas.Resources From This Episode:Join us for Advent in the First 5 app!Download the free app, and spend five minutes each day studying God's Word with women around the world.Go deeper with our brand-new Advent study guide, More Than a Manger.Experience the Christmas story with fresh eyes through rich biblical teaching and meaningful daily reflections.Help more women access biblical Truth this season.Your generosity fuels everything we do — from free podcasts to devotions to study resources.[Give to Proverbs 31 Ministries today.]Click here to download a transcript of this episodeWant More on This Topic? Listen to “The Secret to Really Loving Your Neighbor” with Jada Edwards on The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast.

The demon has a name — Zurvan. For thirty years it waited, dormant within the charred fragments of a spirit board, sealed inside an advent calendar built by hands it had already corrupted. Now Detective Davenport lies dead, his head twisted completely around as punishment for a door Matthew failed to open. Logan has been freed from the demon's grip, but Zurvan does not forgive, and it does not forget — Father Olsen warned that when a host is lost, it will seek another. Pastor Hart fled drenched in blood. Wilbur Ward's corpse was found in Mason's closet. Twenty-one doors have been opened, twenty-one horrors unleashed, and three days remain until Christmas Eve — the climax of Zurvan's ancient celebration, the anniversary of the night Matthew ran while his family burned. Logan is ten. Mason is seven. The parallel to Matthew and Steven is no coincidence. Matthew's allies are dead or scattered, both sons have been touched by an ancient evil, and the calendar continues its relentless countdown toward something even more terrible. Three doors remain. Will anyone be left alive to celebrate Christmas?Get the print version of the novel: https://weirddarkness.com/AdventOfEvil#WeirdDarkness #ChristmasHorror #HolidayHorror #SupernaturalThriller #HauntedCalendar #DarkChristmas #HorrorStory #DemonicEvil #CreepyTales #YuletideTerror

Join us in our Advent series to learn about the four themes of Advent. In this short episode, we explore the theme of love and the love of Christ that we experience in the Advent season and beyond. Subscribe to our Podcast Newsletter! Connect with us:  The Daily Grace Co. | Facebook | Instagram | Daily Grace Blog | 

God With Us: Celebrating the True Meaning of Christmas What changes when Jesus is not only your Savior—but your Lord? In this special Christmas week episode, Candace is joined by Ruth Chou Simons for a reflective reading of the Christmas story and a powerful meditation on the name Emmanuel—God with us. Together, they slow down the season to focus on what it truly means to welcome Christ not just into the manger, but onto the throne of our hearts. Ruth reads from Matthew 1 and from her Advent book Emmanuel, inviting listeners to consider the lordship of Jesus—His authority, His sovereignty, and His rightful place as King. While we often rejoice in Christ as Savior, this conversation challenges us to ask whether we also joyfully submit to Him as Lord. Through Scripture, prayer, and gentle reflection, Candace and Ruth remind us that surrender is not loss, but freedom—and that Christmas becomes richer when Jesus is more than a helper or friend, but the master of our lives. As the year comes to a close, this episode offers a quiet invitation to lay down what competes for our allegiance and rediscover the joy and peace that come when Christ reigns fully. Merry Christmas from Candace! Connect with Candace and Ruth Candace on Instagram @candacecbure  Follow the Podcast on Instagram @candacecameronburepodcast  Follow the Podcast on TikTok @ccbpodcast Follow Ruth on: Instagram: @ruthchousimons Website: https://ruthchousimons.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RuthChouSimons Sponsors For This Episode -WeShare ⁠weshare.org/candace⁠ -Angel Studios David  ⁠angel.com/candaceb⁠ -IFCJ  ⁠ifcj.org⁠ -GCU ⁠https://www.gcu.edu/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How did a podcast about the rosary beat out Joe Rogan? What actually is the rosary, and why can all Christians grow spiritually from praying with it? And what does it mean to be a great leader --whether in a church, marriage, or career?Today I'm sitting down with Fr Mary-Mary, a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal, as we dive into his vocation, the power and purpose of the rosary, handling abusive situations in relationships and church matters, as well as the need to celebrate victories. I think you'll enjoy this candid discussion. Rosary in a year Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rosary-in-a-year-with-fr-mark-mary-ames/id1776236328Rosary in a year Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rx1puBjE0xZBiuy4BT4i7NEW: Check out our Merch store! https://shop.lilaroseshow.com/Join our new Patreon community! https://patreon.com/lilaroseshow - We'll have BTS footage, ad-free episodes, and early access to our upcoming guests.A big thanks to our partner, EWTN, the world's leading Catholic network! Discover news, entertainment and more at https://www.ewtn.com/ Check out our Sponsors:-Brave+: Screen Time Made Good - Get a week free trial at https://braveplus.com/lila-We Heart Nutrition: https://www.weheartnutrition.com/ Get high quality vitamin supplements for 20% off using the code LILA. -EveryLife Women: https://www.everylife.com/lila Buy diapers and women's health products from an amazing company and use code LILA to get 10% off!-Seven Weeks Coffee: https://www.sevenweekscoffee.com Buy your pro-life coffee and Save up to 25% with promo code 'LILA' & get up to four FREE gifts this Christmas season: http://www.sevenweekscoffee.com00:00:00 - Intro00:02:57 - Mary showing up more in media00:05:29 - Respect Mary, but pray to Mary?00:18:15 - Fr Mark-Mary's Confession:00:23:59 - In-N-Out Vocation00:27:15 - Culture of Spiritual Direction00:32:32 - Does everyone need a spiritual director?00:40:21 - Why Fr Mark-Mary Likes online dating00:45:58 - Abuse in Marriage, Church, Relationships00:50:00 - Why more people need help00:55:44 - Spiritual Abuse / Marriage01:05:52 - Jocko and Leadership01:13:21 - Denying men from Franciscans01:18:34 - Men leaving Franciscan order01:22:10 - Annulments01:25:03 - Rosary in a Year01:27:59 - Battle of Lepanto01:30:27 - History of the rosary01:38:03 - 3 Goals With Rosary01:42:44 - Most surprising thing about RIAY Podcast01:44:37 - Difficulty from Success01:59:38 - Jesus receiving praise02:07:15 - Reflections on Mary and Advent:02:13:20 - Marriage, Partnership, Unity02:16:32 - Fr Mark-Mary Asks Lila Questions02:32:36 - How Lila Got into Pro-Life space

Our faith has shaped our culture for hundreds of years, but we're living through an immense decline of its influence in our nation. We've been so focused on eternity that we've neglected our role in the present age. In this sermon, Pastor Allen Jackson discusses preparation, a theme of the Advent season. He teaches about leaders like Abraham and Stephen to demonstrate that as God progresses His plans in the world, we have to be intentional in moving with Him. The Church has an assignment, and we need to develop the discernment to understand it and accomplish it!

Started off taking a LOT more time than I expected talking about ancient housing arrangements, what a "manger" might be, etc., and then moved on to a rant against Reformed theology and a common argument against God's decree that keeps coming up. Interrupted by a brief power outage at our office, but, I assume Rich will just cut that out. Enjoy!

As Christmas approaches, we are turning our focus to love this final week of Advent. In this episode, Karen and Emily unpack what it looks like to love like Jesus in everyday moments: choosing presence, serving quietly, pausing before reacting, and remembering that we love others because Christ first loved us. If the holidays have stretched your patience thin, we hope this conversation will help you refocus your heart on what truly matters! Episode Recap:We're talking about love this week (6:05)How do we respond to God's love practically? (7:55)Loving others looks like not being selfish (8:44)Take an interest in others this Christmas (12:34)Choose presence over perfection (15:54)Speak life with your words (16:31)Pause before you react (18:42)Enjoy simple moments (20:20)Serve quietly (21:15)Focus on gratitude (22:42)Scripture: Philippians 2:1-5 (NIV)“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”Discussion Questions: Why do you think loving others feels harder during the holidays?In what ways do you catch yourself trying to impress others rather than love them?Which part of Philippians 2:1–5 challenges you the most right now?What does “choosing presence over perfection” look like in your home?What is one thing you can do this week to respond with love instead of frustration?Resources:Please give today to help us reach more moms with Wire Talk in 2026!

Do you appreciate God's gift? How do we cultivate hopeful anticipation? Why can we trust God's gift? In today's episode, Tanya shares how Isaiah 50 encourages us to spend this Advent season waiting and watching for Jesus, the best gift. Read the Bible with us in 2026! This year, we're exploring the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Download your reading plan now. Your support makes TMBT possible. Ten Minute Bible Talks is a crowd-funded project. Join the TMBTeam to reach more people with the Bible. Give now. Like this content? Make sure to leave us a rating and share it so that others can find it, too. Use #asktmbt to connect with us, ask questions, and suggest topics. We'd love to hear from you! To learn more, visit our website and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @TenMinuteBibleTalks. Don't forget to subscribe to the TMBT Newsletter here. Passages: Isaiah 50

In this Advent episode of the Podcast for Cultural Reformation, Dr. Joe Boot and Dr. Michael Thiessen continue the Think Christianly series by asking a world-shaping question: Who is the child in the manger? Marking the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, they explore the Arian heresy, the church’s defense of Christ’s full divinity, and why the Nicene confession—“begotten, not made”—is essential to Christian worship, salvation, and culture. The discussion also shows how Arianism persists today wherever Jesus is reduced to a moral teacher rather than confessed as Lord. This episode calls Christians, especially during Advent, to stand with the historic church and boldly confess Christ as fully God and fully man—the Word made flesh, for the life of the world.

Luke 2:17-20