Podcasts about Quirinius

Reading IIsaiah 9:1-6 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames. For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!Reading IITitus 2:11-14Beloved:The grace of God has appeared, saving alland training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ,who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.GospelLuke 2:1-14In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustusthat the whole world should be enrolled.This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria.So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.While they were there,the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son.She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear.The angel said to them,“Do not be afraid;for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Homily by Father Peter Zwaans Mount Gambier Catholic ParishGospel according to Luke 2:1-14Caesar Augustus issued a decree for a census of the whole world to be taken. This census – the first – took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria, and everyone went to his own town to be registered. So, Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee and travelled up to Judaea, to the town of David called Bethlehem, since he was of David's House and line, in order to be registered together with Mary, hisbetrothed, who was with child. While they were there the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to a son, her first born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger becausethere was no room for them at the inn. In the countryside close by there were shepherds who lived in the fields and took it in turns to watch their flocks during the night. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone round them.They were terrified, but the angel said, ‘Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in the town of David a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.' And suddenly with the angel there was a great throng of the heavenly host, praising God and singing: ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy his favour.'The Gospel of the Lord.R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

The Thrill of Hope - Christmas EveDecember 24, 2025Teacher: Pastor Dave BrownJoy turns into rejoicing.Look, Charlie, let's face it. We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket. — Lucy van Pelt In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And 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, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. — Luke 2:1-20 I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. — Luke 2:10 The good news is that the one true God has now taken charge of the world…The ancient sickness that had crippled the whole world, and humans with it, has been cured at last, so that new life can rise up in its place. Life has come to life and is pouring out like a mighty river into the world, in the form of a new power, the power of love. The good news was, and is, that all this has happened in and through Jesus; that one day it will happen, completely and utterly, to all creation; and that we humans, every single one of us, whoever we are, can be caught up in that transformation here and now. — N.T. Wright Joy turns into rejoicing. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. — Luke 2:20 Feelings are great liars. If Christians worshipped only when they felt like it, there would be precious little worship. We think that if we don't feel something there can be no authenticity in doing it. But the wisdom of God says something different: that we can act ourselves into a new way of feeling much quicker than we can feel ourselves into a new way of acting. Worship is an act that develops feelings for God, not a feeling for God that is expressed in an act of worship. — Eugene Peterson

Luke 2:1-14  (ESV)The Birth of Jesus Christ2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.The Shepherds and the Angels8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest,    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Luke 2:1-11 ESV1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. • • •1. A Savior for all people. • • •Luke 2:10-11 ESV10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. • • •John 3:17 ESV17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. • • •2. A Savior to those who believe. • • •Matthew 1:21 ESV21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” • • •John 1:12 ESV12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, • • •3. A Savior who requires a response. • • •John 3:16 ESV16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. • • •2 Peter 3:9 ESV9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. • • •Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. • • •Application:Jesus not only saves us from our sins, but He saves us for a life-giving relationship with God now and for all eternity!

Mary Liked to Ponder Luke 2:1-20 "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. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:  to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”  So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.  When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child;  and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.  But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”There are two things about this verse that I would like to focus on today. The first is how Jesus was born in a manger.  Growing up I didn't understand this.  I felt like if Mary was giving birth to the Son of God, then the least He could do is provide her with a comfortable bed to deliver the baby in.  I felt like it was all so disorganized and I really didn't understand why God didn't plan better.  Now that I am an adult, or actually more accurately, now that I know more about God and the story of Jesus I am able to understand that it was all very well planned out.  God always has a plan.  God had been preparing His people for this birth for a very long time.  He had given very specific details and He was ensuring that all the details were accurate so that His people would know that His son was the Savior.Jesus was not born into luxury because He was not going to be that kind of king.  He was going to be an amazing leader and yet He would also be a servant.  I have a rosary app on my phone and I like how they describe Jesus' birth.  Jesus enters the world in poverty to teach us the detachment from earthly things.  I have also heard others describe that he was born in the stable to teach us humility.  I am not sure why Jesus was born in a stable, but I think it set Him on the path for what kind of person He wanted to be.  If we have a lot of stuff, we don't need to rely on the Lord as we feel we can provide for ourselves.  We also get distracted by all that stuff and then sometimes don't think about God or don't want to give up that time we spend doing other stuff to spend with Him.  When you experience poverty you are also more grateful for the things that you have.  I now know that Jesus' birth happened exactly as it was supposed to and was very well thought out.The second thing I would like to talk about are the word at the end of this section.  Luke 2:19 says, “But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.”  I think Mary does this a lot.  I remember Father Michael Gaitley talking about Mary's heart pondering in his Book 33 Days to Morning Glory.  When the magi, or the shepherds visited Jesus they told Mary and Joseph all that the Angel's said about Jesus.  Mary did not get overwhelmed, she did not freak out, she treasured all they said and she pondered them in her heart.  I am not sure what I would do if I were in her circumstance.  I think I would feel that was a lot of pressure, but it doesn't seem like she felt that way.At the end of chapter 2 in Luke it mentions Mary pondering again.  Do you remember the story of when Mary & Joseph went to Jerusalem for the festival of Passover and then when it ended they started the return home and Jesus wasn't with them?  They were traveling with friends and family and assumed He was with them, but He wasn't.  They were a whole day's journey away before they found out.  When they found Him and asked Him where He was.  In Luke 2:49-51 Jesus said to them, “‘Why were you searching for me?  Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?'  But they didn't understand what he said to them.  Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them.  His mother treasured all these things in her heart.”  I find it interesting that the verse says that Mary and Joseph didn't understand what he said to them.  I wonder if this happened a lot?  At this point Jesus was 12 years old.  I remember watching this scene in the show The Chosen.  I remember Mary looked up to the Lord and said, “Not yet,” or “I'm not ready yet,” or something like that.  I can imagine that is how she felt.  I can imagine how difficult it is when our kids grow up and move out of the house.  I have several friends whose kids went to college over the last few years and they are sad they don't see them every day.  I can imagine Mary being concerned that Jesus was going to grow up and have to leave home to fulfill his destiny too soon.  I don't know how much of Jesus' life and destiny was revealed to Mary, or when it was revealed.  She new from before His conception that He would be the Son of God, but was she able to understand what that meant?  Was she given an understanding of all He would have to go through?  I wonder if she knew from the beginning that he was going to have to sacrifice himself for us?  Do you see why Mary would have a lot to ponder.  I can imagine when others told her things, like the shepherds, she might not have understood the gravity of the situation.  The definition for ponder is to think about something carefully, especially before make a decision or reaching a conclusion.  A synonym for it is to meditate.  It makes sense that Mary would spend a lot of time pondering things.  As I said the other day, it is hard enough being the parent of any child.  I can imagine the pressure would be so much greater if we were parenting God's child.  There are so many things about Mary that we could look up to.  Pondering is one of them.  Instead of making decisions or leaping to conclusions before we have all the facts, maybe we can slow down and do some pondering.  We could take some time and ask God what He thinks we should do, or how we should think about things.  When we hear something that is upsetting or overwhelming, maybe we could ponder it for a bit before we react.  I know this won't always be easy.  I don't think it was always easy for Mary either.  I think it is something to consider, though.  Think about what normally happens when you get upset.  For me, I hear something upsetting, and if I react right away, I am not reacting as my best self.  I may say unkind things, or maybe I am sarcastic or rude.  However, after I react and I have time to calm down and really think about it, I realize that I should have done things differently.  What if we all took time to ponder more this year?  How would our relationships be different if we pondered more before we reacted?  I wonder if we would grow in wisdom if we took the time to ponder why things were happening and the meaning behind them?  Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you bless all those listening to this episode today.  Lord, we ask that you help us to ponder more this year.  Help us to slow down and not let life just pass us by.  We ask that you help us to ponder the things that happen to us and why they are happening.  Help us to be willing and mindful participants in our own lives.  Don't let us just sleepwalk through life on autopilot.  Help us to take it all in and enjoy it.  Lord, we ask that this Christmas season be amazing for all of us and that you bless those who need your blessings, Lord.  Please help those who are struggling and help them to feel loved.  We love you, Lord, you are amazing.  We are so very grateful to you, and we ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus' holy name, Amen.Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus, and this week for joining me in preparing our hearts and minds for celebrating the coming of our Savior, Lord Jesus Christ.  I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and I will be here to spend time with you again on Monday.  Have a blessed weekend! www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

December 24, 2025 Luke 2:1-20 (ESV) 1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Wednesday - Luke 2:1-7 Christmas EveIn those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Daily Anglican Prayer – Thursday Morning – Christmas Day - 25th December 2025 Readings NRSV: Psalm 132. 10-18; Micah 4. 1-8; Luke 2.1-14. Led by Felicity Scott, an Anglican prayer minister in Queensland, Australia. The full prayer transcript is available by going to this episode on the Podcast website. https://dailyprayeranglicanprayerbookforaustralia.podbean.com Welcome to Christmas Day Morning prayer. The Sentence: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; for to us a child is born, to us a son is given. Alleluia. We proclaim the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ: GOD in his infinite mercy, forgives all sins, and through our baptism in the name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, we are given a rebirth into new life, free from the burden of all sin. ALLELUIA With faithfulness we respond to the good news: We acknowledge Christ as our Saviour and accept with gratitude, that we are forgiven for all wrong doings, past and present. To honour the gift of forgiveness, we release our burden of guilt and rise up to live in the glory of God forever more. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God forever. Let us Pray.     1 This is the message we have heard from Christ: That God is light, in whom there is no darkness at all.   Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:  as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.    2 The Opening Canticle, A Song of God's Grace Go up to a high mountain Herald of good tidings to Zion: Lift up your voice with strength, Herald of good tidings to Jerusalem. Lift up your voice, fear not: Say to the cities of Judah, ‘Behold your God!' See the Lord God coming with power: Coming to rule with his mighty arm. He brings his reward for the people of God: the recompense for those who are saved. God will feed his flock like a shepherd: And gather the lambs in his arms; He will hold them to his breast: And gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40.9-11   3 The Opening Prayer The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;  let us pray with one heart and mind.    Silence may be kept. As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,  so may the light of your presence, O God,  set our hearts with love for you;  now and for ever.  Amen.   4 The Psalms as appointed. A pause is observed after each. Psalm 132. 10-18     5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us in your son Jesus Christ: grant that as he came to share our human nature so we may be partakers in his divine glory; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.  Amen.   6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed.   1st Reading MICAH 4. 1-8 1In days to come the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised up above the hills. Peoples shall stream to it, 2and many nations shall come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 3He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; 4but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. 5For all the peoples walk, each in the name of its god, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever. Restoration Promised after Exile 6In that day, says the Lord, I will assemble the lame and gather those who have been driven away, and those whom I have afflicted. 7The lame I will make the remnant, and those who were cast off, a strong nation; and the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion now and forevermore. 8And you, O tower of the flock, hill of daughter Zion, to you it shall come, the former dominion shall come, the sovereignty of daughter Jerusalem. Hear the word of the LORD. Thanks be to God.   2nd Reading Luke 2. 1-14   1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph 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. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And 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 in the guest room. 8Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”   Hear the message of Christ. Thanks be to God.     7 The Canticle, In the beginning was the word: and the word was with God, and the word was god: he was in the beginning with god. all things were made through him: and without him, was not anything made that was made. In him was life: And the life was the light of all the people. The light shines in the darkness: And the darkness has not overcome it. He was in the world: And the world was made through him yet the world knew him not. He came to his own home: and his own people received him not. But to all who received him who believed on his name: He has given power to become children of God; who were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh: nor of the will of a man but of God. And the Word became flesh And dwelt among us full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory: glory as of the only son from the father and from his fullness have we all received: And grace upon grace.   8 The belief and principle is said I believe in God, creator of heaven and earth, whose love and merciful forgiveness endures everlasting. I believe in Christ the saviour, whose example of love and compassion, taught us a restored way to live, in collaborative unity with all people. I believe in the Holy Spirit, whose divine guidance brings us together to be one with the Holy Trinity. Amen   9 The Prayers Lord have mercy.  Christ have mercy.  God have mercy.   10 The Lord's Prayer Our Father in heaven,  hallowed be your name,  your kingdom come,  your will be done,  on earth as in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.  Forgive us our sins  as we forgive those who sin against us.  Save us from the time of trial  and deliver us from evil.  For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours  now and for ever. Amen.      Prayer of the Week following the last Sunday after pentecost Christmas day Eternal GOD, who made this most holy night to shine with the brightness Of your one true light: bring us, who have known the revelation of that light on earth, To see the radiance of your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   11 Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom and need. Let us pray Let us pray for the people of this world who are in need this day as we celebrate Christmas. GOD, We ask that you smile upon the church all over the world: may the Holy Spirit may guide us, and grant that we may pursue truth, unity, peace and righteousness. We pray for the work of the church here and for our own ministries as we live our lives. In faith we pray. LORD hear our prayer   Peaceful GOD, We ask that you grant peaceful minds to those given the responsibility of government, all over the world, that they might unite through peace, justice and mercy, and that all people may honour one another and seek the common good. In faith we pray. LORD hear our prayer   Graceful GOD, Give grace to those for whom the Christmas season is a struggle for survival due to poverty, famine, disease, or war. We pray, also, for those striving to rebuild their lives after the devastation of natural disasters or terrorism. In faith we pray. LORD hear our prayer   Healing GOD, We ask that your healing hand for those who are troubled, anxious or sick in mind, body or spirit and for those who love and care for them. Give them courage and hope in their troubles and bring them the joy of your salvation. In faith we pray. LORD hear our prayer   GOD of Light, you gave us Jesus Christ to be the light of the world, a light which no darkness can quench. We lovingly remember this gift God and we heartily thank you for your great and divine mercy, which eternally shines and brings hope. You turn our darkness into light: through your light our darkness is vanquished and we also become light. In faith we pray. LORD hear our prayer   Ordinary Thursday prayers   God of the nations, we thank you for your sovereign rule bringing justice and peace. Have mercy on our world, share abundantly your peace in the hearts of all and increase in people the spirit that makes for peace. Instil in us that all races and peoples can live in harmony as members of one family. Humbly we pray; LORD Hear our prayer   Loving God, we pray thanks to you for bringing forward the people needed to create our loving community's. We ask you to bless medical and hospital workers that help people and the police and defence forces that protect our country, we appreciate their contributions in providing a safe country for all people to live in. Humbly we pray; LORD Hear our prayer   Saviour God, we thank you for all you provide to us in our time of need. We ask you to help those who are hungry, especially help countries who are unable to provide food for their people, guide us to help them in their hour of need. Humbly we pray; LORD Hear our prayer   Heavenly God, we pray thanks for all our ancestors, for their contribution in this world, and for how their presence has led the way to today's common ground that today we so easily walk on. We are eternally grateful for all their many blessings in our name and pray they have risen to meet your glory everlasting. Humbly we pray; LORD Hear our prayer   God of wisdom, we pray that the road our ancestors walked with you, in the pursuit of peace and joy, helps us to the enjoy the same fruitful ways. As we learn from their wisdom, and appreciate the life they have carved for us, may we remember them and be brought to a communion with you, through your everlasting love and mercy. Humbly we pray; LORD Hear our prayer     12 The Morning Collect Lord and Heavenly Father, you have brought us safely to this new day: Keep us by your mighty power, protect us from sin, guard us from every kind of danger, and in all we do this day direct us in the fulfilling of your purpose, Through Jesus Christ our lord.  Amen.   13 The Lord be with you. And also with you.  Let us praise the Lord.  Thanks be to God.    May the God of peace equip us with everything good so that we may do his will, and may he work in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever. Amen. Hebrews 13.20 Music by Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge & Andrew Nethsingha. A reminder disclaimer to the listener. The readings in the podcast may include ancient and old-fashioned sayings and instructions that we do not in any way condone as in use or to be used in today's modern world. The readings have not been modernised to reflect todays thinking, instead the readings remain from the old version of the NRSV bible. The podcast owners explicitly declare that each listener is responsible for their own actions in response to the bible readings and the podcast owners bare no responsibility in this sense.

From all the Come & See Inspirations podcast team, wishing you and yours every blessing of the Babe of Bethlehem for the Holy Season of Christmas and into the New Year 2026.Nollaig shona agus athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh go léirFromJohn, Ann & Shane*******************On this special podcast we celebrate this special day with reflections, favorite Christmas carols and hymns, readings & reflections and our regular reflection on the Gospel of the day. We are joined on the programme with a reflection by some very special guests.Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick reflecting Keeping the Light onJulianne Moran, General Secretary of the Irish Synodal Pathway with her reflection on Make Space for Hope.Sr Phyllis Moynihan with her reflection on Mary in our times.These reflections will also be published as daily reflections over the Christmas Octave as well so listen to in bite sized parts.********************"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.In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,and on earth peace among those whom he favours!'When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.'So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child;and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.T he shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them."- (Luke 2: 1-20)Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com

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

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 

Luke 2:1-14 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."   Why Did Jesus Come?   John 3:16-21 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.  19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.  20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.   Love is Why     Love is not a self-gratifying attraction. Love is self-sacrificing action.    Love is not taking. Love is giving.     Love is not living in lies. Love is living in the truth.     Love does not abandon. Love finishes what is started.

This Christmas week, Pastor Jeff shares from Luke 2—the story of Jesus' birth, our Messiah, and the true gift we celebrate this season. Luke 2:1-3 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

Matthews 1:18-2518 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. Luke 2:1-202 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. INTRODUCTION — THE GREATEST GIFTTHE MIRACLE OF THE INCARNATION (Matt 1:18; John 1:14) THE HUMILITY OF HIS BIRTH (Luke 2:6–7) THE PURPOSE OF HIS COMING (Matthew 1:21) THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF HIS BIRTH (Luke 2:8–11) THE MEANING OF IMMANUEL (Matthew 1:23) THE INVITATION TO WORSHIP (Luke 2:15–20) CONCLUSION — BEHOLD HIS GIFT

The Quirinius census at the time of Jesus’ birth referred to in the Gospel of Luke isn't recorded historically, but Christians believe it probably took place under a kind of extraordinary command authority that Roman official Quirinius (also called Cyrenius) possessed during his military maneuvers in Cilicia or possibly during a brief earlier stint as governor in Syria. Ee56. The Living Word podcast with Chuck Davis available at https://amzn.to/3Tao857 Daily Defense podcast available at https://amzn.to/3uFzHqN Catholic Answers Live podcast available at https://amzn.to/47IB5Yk Biblical Archaeology Today podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/steve-waldron Gospel of Luke available at https://amzn.to/45vVii4 ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Mark's HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: When was Jesus Really Born? The Quirinius Conundrum (Paulogia podcast with J Warner Wallace). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Audio Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott StrickmanSermon Series: AdventLuke 2:1-21 (ESV)1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.Sermon OutlineReflecting on glory and peace in the song of the angels (v14) will help clarify why Christmas is worth celebrating.1. Gloryv1 “a decree… from Caesar Augustus”v9 “an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them”v18 “And all who heard it wondered”v20 “the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God”2. Peacev14 “on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased”v10-11 “the angel said to them, ‘Fear not… I bring you good news of great joy… a Savior'”v15, 17 “When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds… made known the saying… concerning this child”v13-14 “a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God… and on earth peace…!'”Prayer of ConfessionOur glorious God, we praise you and rejoice at the good news of Jesus' birth. Hear us as we admit our sin and appeal for forgiveness. We have sought our own glory, and are guilty of pride, envy, arrogance and idolatry. We have forfeited peace and struggle with the consequences. We have been troublemakers, not peacemakers. We humbly admit our need of your grace, and we marvel at your kindness. Forgive our sins. Thank you for the peace given to us in Christ. May all glory go to you. In Jesus' name, amen.Questions for ReflectionHow are you feeling this season? How are you feeling about Christmas? Why? What are you looking forward to? What are you dreading?What do you imagine the shepherds saw when the angels appeared? What did they hear (what did it sound like)?Do you postpone peace in pursuit of glory? Have you given up striving for glory because you want to be at peace? Which is more of a priority in your life right now (peace or glory)?What evidence is there that the world is not at peace with God? Why is the birth of Jesus good news? What benefits come because he came into the world? How is Jesus a gift to the world?How do we receive peace from God? What did Jesus do so that we would have peace with God?How do we “give” glory to God? What attitude and actions should you cultivate?As you practice receiving peace and giving glory, what will help set a clearer trajectory for a life of joy?

Audio Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott StrickmanSermon Series: AdventLuke 2:1-21 (ESV)1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.Sermon OutlineReflecting on glory and peace in the song of the angels (v14) will help clarify why Christmas is worth celebrating.1. Gloryv1 “a decree… from Caesar Augustus”v9 “an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them”v18 “And all who heard it wondered”v20 “the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God”2. Peacev14 “on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased”v10-11 “the angel said to them, ‘Fear not… I bring you good news of great joy… a Savior'”v15, 17 “When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds… made known the saying… concerning this child”v13-14 “a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God… and on earth peace…!'”Prayer of ConfessionOur glorious God, we praise you and rejoice at the good news of Jesus' birth. Hear us as we admit our sin and appeal for forgiveness. We have sought our own glory, and are guilty of pride, envy, arrogance and idolatry. We have forfeited peace and struggle with the consequences. We have been troublemakers, not peacemakers. We humbly admit our need of your grace, and we marvel at your kindness. Forgive our sins. Thank you for the peace given to us in Christ. May all glory go to you. In Jesus' name, amen.Questions for ReflectionHow are you feeling this season? How are you feeling about Christmas? Why? What are you looking forward to? What are you dreading?What do you imagine the shepherds saw when the angels appeared? What did they hear (what did it sound like)?Do you postpone peace in pursuit of glory? Have you given up striving for glory because you want to be at peace? Which is more of a priority in your life right now (peace or glory)?What evidence is there that the world is not at peace with God? Why is the birth of Jesus good news? What benefits come because he came into the world? How is Jesus a gift to the world?How do we receive peace from God? What did Jesus do so that we would have peace with God?How do we “give” glory to God? What attitude and actions should you cultivate?As you practice receiving peace and giving glory, what will help set a clearer trajectory for a life of joy?

The enrollment or registration at the time of Jesus’ birth referred to in the Gospel of Luke isn't recorded historically, but Christians believe it probably took place under a kind of extraordinary command authority that Roman official Quirinius possessed during his military maneuvers in Cilicia or possibly during a brief earlier stint as governor in Syria. Ee55 Paulogia podcast available at https://amzn.to/3Tg2Eno Gospel of Luke available at https://amzn.to/45vVii4 ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Mark's HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICA podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: When was Jesus Really Born? The Quirinius Conundrum (Paulogia podcast with J Warner Wallace). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this special Christmas Eve episode we're discussing the birth of Jesus as told in Luke 2:1-20. We talk about the imperial setting of this story, which takes place during the reigns of Augustus, Herod, and Quirinius but announces the good news of a different lord and savior who brings peace to all rather than to the few. We ponder the way that the message makes its way into the world—through an unwed mother, a band of shepherds, and an assortment of people who happen to be awake in the middle of the night—leaving the official power structures unaware of the fact that the world has been fundamentally changed. And we talk about how this story challenges us to pay attention to who we listen to, where we look for good news, and what divine announcements we might sleep through because we've gotten too comfortable. Merry Christmas, y'all.

Caesar's Decree - This story is crafted from Luke 02:1-7 where Caesar Augustus the king of Rome, who's kingdom covered all of the known earth. Sent out a decree that there will be a census. It was the first census while Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone was required to return to the town of their birth and register with the census. To find out how you can support this ministry by visiting our website at https://lizardtracks.net. My stories can be found on your favorite podcast App or Alexa, search for Podcast Lizard Tracks.

To become a follower of Jesus, visit: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/MeetJesus (NOT a Morning Mindset resource) ⇒ TODAY'S DAILY SPONSOR: Sponsoring in honor of my father, John, who beat cancer through faith, endurance and love. You can sponsor a daily episode of the Morning Mindset too, by going to https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/DailySponsor ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:1–5 - In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. [2] This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. [3] And all went to be registered, each to his own town. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, [5] to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. (ESV) ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE MORNING MINDSET: (not tax-deductible) -- Become a monthly partner: https://mm-gfk-partners.supercast.com/ -- Support a daily episode: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/daily-sponsor/ -- Give one-time: https://give.cornerstone.cc/careygreen -- Venmo: @CareyNGreen ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ FOREIGN LANGUAGE VERSIONS OF THIS PODCAST: SPANISH version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Spanish HINDI version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Hindi CHINESE version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Chinese  ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ CONTACT: Carey@careygreen.com  ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ THEME MUSIC: “King’s Trailer” – Creative Commons 0 | Provided by https://freepd.com/ ***All NON-ENGLISH versions of the Morning Mindset are translated using A.I. Dubbing and Translation tools from DubFormer.ai ***All NON-ENGLISH text content (descriptions and titles) are translated using the A.I. functionality of Google Translate.

December 14, 2025 | What Christmas Means to Quirinius: Threat | Rev. Jenny McDevitt by Shandon Presbyterian Church

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION “And I'm not talking about the distant future, where super intelligence leads us to traveling the galaxies and overcoming death and All that. I mean the nearer term future...in a world where we keep accelerating towards better and better and more capable AI...I think AI is uncategorically the best hope for accelerating prosperity. It will touch everything.” ~Guillaume Verdon, better known for his X handle “Beff Jezos”, as heard on episode 8“The Accelerationists” of the podcast The Last Invention, hosted by Gregory Warner. “Turning and turning in the widening gyreThe falcon cannot hear the falconer;Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world… The best lack all conviction, while the worstAre full of passionate intensity…A vast image …Troubles my sight:Somewhere in sands of the desertA shape with lion body and the head of a man,A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,Is moving its slow thighs, while all about itReel shadows of the indignant desert birds.The darkness drops again; but now I knowThat twenty centuries of stony sleepWere vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?”~Written about the bleakness of the future by William Butler Yeats in 1919 in the aftermath of WWI, the height of the global flu pandemic of 1918-19 which nearly killed his pregnant wife, the wake of the Easter uprising in Ireland against the British crown, and the beginning (in his view) of the collapse of the civilization Europe had spent the last 1600 years building.SERMON PASSAGE selected passages (NIV)Exodus 16 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.” Deuteronomy 8 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Micah 5 2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Luke 2 1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.  John 6 35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty…” 51 “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”…58 “This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --The prophetic fulfillment in the conception and birth of Jesus testify to the miracle of God's power!But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. Micah 5:2 NLTAt that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:1-7 NLTGod's has the power to do both the improbable and impossible according to His will and purpose. To presume we know how God should act is to mistrust His sovereign wisdom and love. Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 NLTI pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else, not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. Ephesians 1:19-22 NLTTo believe God can't or doesn't do miracles today is to completely miss on the impact of His power and compassion! I dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. Lamentations 3:21- 25 NLTOur hope is forever in the compassion and power of our ever-present, all-knowing, miracle working Messiah!-POEM-Our merciful messiah came in a mangerWith hidden strength soon to be shown. Immanuel here to save and to heal,His power and presence, He came to make known. The God who created the stars and the heavensCreated my inner most being too. A universe so large it's hard to conceiveWith tiny electrons for creations glue.God's power is boundless, beyond descriptionHis love is vast, and yet intimately near. Awe and honor are owed to our SaviorStill He calls us to come, no reason to fear.This world is caught in a cosmic conflictThe fight is for every heart and soulThe prince of darkness, the architect of brokenKill, steal, and destroy his only goal. Our fallen world in the pangs of deathIncludes various hellish hurts and painMany are we in need of a miracle Exactly the reason Immanuel came. The babe born at Christmas is here to heal Discontentment, addiction, broken bodies and heartsHis sovereign discernment guides His compassionHis Grace and mercy never miss the mark. -------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --The prophetic fulfillment in the conception and birth of Jesus testify to the miracle of God's power!But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. Micah 5:2 NLTAt that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:1-7 NLTGod's has the power to do both the improbable and impossible according to His will and purpose. To presume we know how God should act is to mistrust His sovereign wisdom and love. Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 NLTI pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else, not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. Ephesians 1:19-22 NLTTo believe God can't or doesn't do miracles today is to completely miss on the impact of His power and compassion! I dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. Lamentations 3:21- 25 NLTOur hope is forever in the compassion and power of our ever-present, all-knowing, miracle working Messiah!-POEM-Our merciful messiah came in a mangerWith hidden strength soon to be shown. Immanuel here to save and to heal,His power and presence, He came to make known. The God who created the stars and the heavensCreated my inner most being too. A universe so large it's hard to conceiveWith tiny electrons for creations glue.God's power is boundless, beyond descriptionHis love is vast, and yet intimately near. Awe and honor are owed to our SaviorStill He calls us to come, no reason to fear.This world is caught in a cosmic conflictThe fight is for every heart and soulThe prince of darkness, the architect of brokenKill, steal, and destroy his only goal. Our fallen world in the pangs of deathIncludes various hellish hurts and painMany are we in need of a miracle Exactly the reason Immanuel came. The babe born at Christmas is here to heal Discontentment, addiction, broken bodies and heartsHis sovereign discernment guides His compassionHis Grace and mercy never miss the mark. -------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth,…

Luke 2:1-20In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. English Standard Version (ESV)The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

He Shall Be Called // Week 2 // Mighty GodPastor Ashley WilkersonIsaiah 9:6-7a NIV6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7a Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.Mighty (The Oxford English Dictionary) - possessing great strength, power, or size.1. Remember the COUNTLuke 2:1-5 NLT1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.1. Remember the COUNT2. Remember the CASTLMatthew 2:1-2 NIV1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”Proverbs 18:20-21 NIV20 From the fruit of their mouth a person's stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. 21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.Philippians 4:12-13 NIV12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.1. Remember the COUNT2. Remember the CASTLE3. Remember the CAVE and the COVERINGLuke 2:5-7 NIV5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.Genesis 3:9-11a NIV9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” 11a And he said, “Who told you that you were naked?‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬21 The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NIV8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.1. Remember the COUNT2. Remember the CASTLE3. Remember the CAVE and the COVERING

John 1:14, Luke 2December 7th, 2025John 1:1-5 (NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Jesus physical birth wasn't His beginning, it was His earthly arrival.John 1:14 (NIV) 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.The God of the Bible is an in person, personal God – this is a reason for JOY. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” means “God keep you joyful and at peace!” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” God rest ye merry gentlemen let nothing you dismay Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day To save us all from Satan's pow'r when we were gone astray Oh tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, oh tidings of comfort and joy.In Bethlehem, in Israel this blessed Babe was born And laid within a manger upon this blessed morn The which His Mother Mary did nothing take in scorn[Translation: Mary took no issue in the circumstances and setting of the birth of her first born – the Messiah. According to the song writer – Mary “got it.”] Oh tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, oh tidings of comfort and joy.Fear not then, said the Angel let nothing you affright This day is born a Savior of a pure Virgin bright To free all those who trust in Him from Satan's pow'r and might Oh tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, oh tidings of comfort and joyThe Theology of JoyThe Birth of Jesus broke the power of Satan and frees those who trust in His deity and His delivering power. “tiding” = euangelizō “good news” Isaiah 52:7/Romans 10:15 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” The proclamation of Salvation through Jesus is a Joyful Tiding! Luke 2:1-18 (NIV) In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news [tidings] that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 3 Contextual Observations 1. Geo-Political: Powers and Politics are no barrier for God plan of salvation. 2. Cultural: Even in Jesus' birth He was bringing about redemption.3. Social: With Jesus, everyone's status changes.Collectively, these 3 contexts make one bold statement. Jesus is the one true King. His presence changes everyone and everything. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news [tidings] that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Savior = Deliverer. Jesus is All Powerful. Messiah = Long Awaited Promised One. Jesus is All Trustworthy. Lord = Divine nature and absolute authority. Jesus is Above All. Who is this news for? All people. No exclusions. “Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Appropriate Responses to the Joy Message of Jesus.Movement. Testimony. No more status quo living. Jesus didn't just come to save the world, He came to save me, too.Trust in Jesus is the key that unlocks the door to joy. You can hold onto Joy (Jesus) while navigating hard. Jesus changes everything even when nothing in the moment has changed. The Theology of Joy The Birth of Jesus broke the power of Satan and frees those who trust in His deity and His delivering power.

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --The Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us'). Isaiah 7:14 NLTOther religions are based on mankind's efforts to ascend to God, Christmas is the story of God coming down to us.At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:1-7 NLT The messiah in the manger wrapped His divinity in human fragility so we could be holy, we could be whole, and we could be His. - - (Communion will go here just FYI)Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:8-14 NKJVThe miracle of God's presence isn't just for certain ones, but everyone, everywhere, and every situation. In every moment of life it's God's palpable presence that provides both peace, and the power for a miracle. God's presence is often missed because we're preoccupied with self or circumstance.Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What's more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.” Mary responded, “I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. Luke 1:34-38 NLT Faith isn't for bossing God, it's for believing God.God's presence can change a fearful hesitant heart to a faith-filled trusting heart empowered by His.When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” Luke 1:44-45 ESVBelieving is seeing not the other way around.But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS. Matthew 1:20-25 NKJVFaith isn't a way to hold God hostage to our perspectives, but how we hold God's hand while we trust in Him.-------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --The Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us'). Isaiah 7:14 NLTOther religions are based on mankind's efforts to ascend to God, Christmas is the story of God coming down to us.At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:1-7 NLT The messiah in the manger wrapped His divinity in human fragility so we could be holy, we could be whole, and we could be His. - - (Communion will go here just FYI)Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:8-14 NKJVThe miracle of God's presence isn't just for certain ones, but everyone, everywhere, and every situation. In every moment of life it's God's palpable presence that provides both peace, and the power for a miracle. God's presence is often missed because we're preoccupied with self or circumstance.Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What's more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.” Mary responded, “I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. Luke 1:34-38 NLT Faith isn't for bossing God, it's for believing God.God's presence can change a fearful hesitant heart to a faith-filled trusting heart empowered by His.When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” Luke 1:44-45 ESVBelieving is seeing not the other way around.But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS. Matthew 1:20-25 NKJVFaith isn't a way to hold God hostage to our perspectives, but how we hold God's hand while we trust in Him.-------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

Advent Peace 2025       Luke 2:1-7 ESV   In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.             Luke 10:34-35 ESV   34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.'             Luke 22:10-12 ESV   10 He said to them, "Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters 11 and tell the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' 12 And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there."                     Luke 2:8-14 ESV   8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,   14 "Glory to God in the highest,       and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"       John 14:27 ESV   27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.       John 17:20 ESV   20 "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,       Romans 5:1 ESV   Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.       John 3:17 ESV   17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.       Romans 12:17-21 NASB   17 Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20 "But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.       Proverbs 19:11 NIV   A person's wisdom yields patience;   it is to one's glory to overlook an offense.       Colossians 3:15 NIV   15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Joel Radford – What was Jesus wrapped in? – Luke 2:1-20   2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up […]

The weekly Sunday morning sermon delivered by Rev. James Wiles Part of the “Shopping For A Savior” series Luke 2:1-7 “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”1. Do you have time for Christmas?2. God made time for us.3. Will you make time for Jesus? www.huntsmbc.com

📝 Summary 📝 Title: A Weary World Rejoices Speaker: Jonny Greaves Scripture: Luke 2:1-20, Isaiah 40 Overview: In this sermon, Jonny Greaves explores the Christmas story through the lens of weariness. Speaking from Luke 2, Jonny contrasts the brief, humble arrival of Jesus with the explosive, glorious announcement made to the shepherds. Just as the people of Israel waited through 400 years of silence between the Old and New Testaments, we often find ourselves waiting in a weary world. But the appearance of the angels to ordinary shepherds reminds us that God has not forgotten His people. Key Points: The Reality of Weariness: Whether it's the exhaustion of raising children or the spiritual fatigue of living in a broken world, weariness is a real part of the human experience. The 400 Years of Silence: Jonny highlights the historical context of the "Intertestamental Period"—four centuries where God seemed silent, paralleling our own feelings of waiting for promises to be fulfilled. A Savior and a Sign: The sermon draws a powerful contrast between the angel's grand title for Jesus ("Messiah, Lord") and the humble sign given to identify him ("a baby in a manger"). Active Faith: The shepherds didn't just marvel at the angels; they responded with active faith ("Let's go and see"). They connected the ancient promises of God with the reality before them. Comfort, Glory, and Peace: Drawing from Isaiah 40, Jonny reminds us that the message of Christmas is one of comfort. God keeps His promises, His glory is revealed in unexpected ways, and He brings peace to a weary world. Call to Action: If you are feeling weary today, "Listen to the angels." Remember that God is working in small, inconspicuous ways to grow His Kingdom and that He has not abandoned you. 📝 Transcript: A Weary World Rejoices Speaker: Jonny Greaves Scripture Focus: Luke 2:1-20 Jonny Greaves: Thank you. Good morning, everyone. It's been a while. It's good to see you all. So start with the easy stuff. Hands up, who is feeling weary this morning? Some of you are willing to admit it. Some of you are so weary you can't even lift your hands in the air. That's tough, isn't it? Yeah, we are working our way through a couple of different talks in the Sundays coming up to Christmas, talking about, yeah, what it is that we as Christians look forward to at Christmas time. And what it is to worship God and to look to Jesus at this time in a weary world. Yeah, just out of interest, out of all of you who put your hands up before, how many of you had a baby this year? Anyone else? No, just me. I have to remind myself it's okay to feel weary sometimes. But weariness can take many forms and shapes, can't it? But it is also something that Nick's already talked about this morning—it permeates our world, not just our hearts and not just our feelings, but the world itself can seem weary. And this is why this is the subject that we're talking about this morning as we read this passage. We're going to be reading from Luke Chapter 2, if you want to follow along. But yeah, the reason that we're looking at this passage is because it speaks into our world today, and it's very relevant in so many respects. I'm going to be reading it for us in the NIV, and we're starting from verse one of Luke Chapter 2. "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." Just going to pause there a second because we've already done the entire Christmas story. Has anyone ever noticed that when they get to this bit in Nativity plays and stuff, you go, "That seems very anticlimactic"? Isn't this supposed to be the most exciting bit? That was seven verses. But Mary's prayer in the previous chapter was nine verses long. You know, when Mary says, "My soul magnifies the Lord"? Nine verses. And we just read the story of Jesus in seven verses, and one of those was about who the governor of Syria was. Sometimes the Bible is incredibly sparse on detail for some reason. That can be very perplexing sometimes. But often, it is for the very reason that the birth of Jesus in this story is just the setup. It's just the setup to what we're about to read in the next little section. Which is really interesting. And this is the thing—those of you who have ever been on journeys with babies will know it was not uneventful, shall we say. Erica and I, when we only had one baby, decided, "I think it should be fine for us to drive all the way back from Aberdeen in one go." Right? Didn't we? We thought, "It's only seven hours or so with a one-year-old in the back. How bad could it be?" And we got as far as Leeds and he had a meltdown. Bless him. He said, "You have gone too far. This is as far as I can go." Sometimes journeys can be really hard work with babies, and we don't get a lot of detail, do we? We're just here that Mary and Joseph are on their way, that they've been summoned, they have to travel, they're going to the town of David, to the place Joseph's family comes from. And when they get there, a baby arrives. And that's the setup for the rest of the chapter. And then we're going to read the next bit. From verse 8, it says: "And 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, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.' When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.' So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." It's quite an amazing reading to think, when you put it in that context, that the birth of Jesus himself is just a small little first part of this story. If you're splitting this into a three-act play, the birth of Jesus is just the beginning. Op, Jesus has arrived. There he is. He's in Bethlehem. And then the crazy, incredible revelation that comes in the second act is: Angels appear to shepherds. Random nobodies who are out in the middle of nowhere. And God breaks in and appears to them in this crazy and powerful way. If you're wondering, you know, as I said, sometimes the Bible is very sparse on detail. We don't get a lot of detail about the birth of Jesus. And yet we get loads of detail about what is going on in the lives of these shepherds. A day in the life of what it is being a shepherd in Bethlehem. One day, it's probably very just trying to keep warm and stare at sheep. And then the next day, Heaven itself opens up and angels are appearing and there's praising God and there's blinding lights and there's terror! People fearing for their very lives because the very presence of God breaking in. This is not a normal Tuesday for a shepherd, is it? This is crazy. This is something incredible. And yet the story is that the revelation of God to these normal, everyday shepherds is about that very story that I just said had no details about. It's about the thing that had just happened. Jesus had been prophesied. Jesus had been talked about to his mother. If you read in Matthew's gospel, angels had also spoken to Joseph, his father. And they knew this baby was coming. They knew this baby was going to be special. But when the baby arrives, he just arrives. It's just a normal day in a sleepy little town. And there he is. And yet just outside, out on the hills, Heaven opens up and something is revealed to just normal everyday people about this baby. This baby is special. So special that something is revealed to these shepherds. And that's what we're going to look at. And the things that the angel speaks about. First of all, is not to be afraid. It's one of those interesting stories that we kind of forget that when these stories happen in the Bible, so often biblical characters throw themselves on the ground in fear and terror. That they see something that they are not expecting. Something so far outside normality they fear for their very lives. Because the presence of God is breaking in to this place. The analogy that we often use with our kids is talking about how the sun is really, really good for you. But if you get too close to it, you're going to get burnt. And it's the presence of God is incredible and life-giving, and also terrifyingly dangerous. And that they're in the midst of this weird place where God is revealing Himself to them and the angel comes and speaks and says, "Do not be afraid." This is why, because of what he is declaring. This is good news of great joy for all people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God. It says a baby has been born. A Savior. A Savior has been born in verse 11. And then in verse 12, the sign that the Savior has been born is a tiny baby wrapped in cloths lying in an animal food trough. What a weird juxtaposition, hey? What a weird contrast of God saying that his promised Savior has arrived, and a little baby is lying in a place where they've just not got enough space to fit a baby in. In a crowded house full of people and animals. Here's a baby that's just arrived. And yet this is the sign. This is the sign to them that God is doing something. I'm just going to jump in here to ask you, how well do you know the history of the country that you live in right now? That you're in? We're going to do a little quick quiz. Can we have the next slide? Here's a question for you. If you roll back the clock 400 years, what do you know about the year 1625? Come on, hands up. Anybody? Anybody feeling super confident that they know anything that happened in the year 1625? (Interacting with audience) Yeah? (Audience member speaks) Not quite, but you're close! Yes. We did get a new monarch. Does anyone know who it was? It was Charles I. There you go. We went from James I to Charles I in 1625. So Charles I arrived on the throne of England in 1625. Anyone want to take a stab? We didn't have Prime Ministers. Who was the speaker of the House of Commons? Anybody? Speaker of the Parliament? Do I hear Sir Thomas Crew? I had to Google that one. I didn't know that one apparently. Yes. Over in America, the Dutch colonists called a tiny little place New Amsterdam. They settled that in 1625, which is now one of the biggest cities in the world, New York City, was founded 400 years ago in 1625. When I asked this question last week to the youth and I said to them, "What do you know about the year 1625?" I said, "There was rumblings that a Civil War might be breaking out in this country. How many of you knew that a Civil War happened in the 1600s?" I got a range of responses from "What?" all the way to "Oh yeah." That was the spectrum. And what I didn't get a single one was, "Of course. Obviously everyone knows about King Charles coming to the throne in 1625. Everyone knows about the English Civil War." What I definitely got was a few responses of, "So what?" "So what?" 400 years is ancient history to us. As I just demonstrated. I also demonstrated when I was speaking to them, I said, "Thank goodness. I'm really pleased that your biblical knowledge is slightly better than your English history knowledge." That we have some a bit more idea because we're working through the timeline of the Bible with the youth at the moment. And this is exactly the kind of things I'm wanting them to help to understand. The timeline of the Bible is significant to the story of the Bible and was significant to the people in Jesus' day in this story. But here's the question. How relevant was it do you think? If 1625 is ancient history to us and the stories of the Bible at this time when Jesus was born—the stories of Nehemiah returning and rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem after they've been thrown down, and Ezra re-establishing a temple that had been stripped out and destroyed and trying to bring the people back to worshiping God the way that they were supposed to—all these things are centuries old. At least 400 years old. And since then? Nothing. There have been no prophets. There have been no signs. There have been no angels appearing to people for 400 years. Not only was it not a normal day in the life of a shepherd, this was not normal in the life of Israel at this period in time. What this period of time was signified by was a time of waiting. And waiting. And waiting and waiting and waiting. For generations. The people of Israel had been waiting and waiting and waiting because God had made promises. And the people were asking, "What do these promises really look like? And what do they mean for us today?" Interestingly, as I said, some of those last stories we have of the Old Testament, that Jerusalem was destroyed and burned down and had been almost completely obliterated, and that God had brought back his people bit by bit and they'd rebuilt the walls and they re-established the temple. Jerusalem itself was looking pretty good at this period in history at the time of Jesus. It was quite prosperous. It was quite rich. They had rebuilt a really big fancy temple. Also, they had Romans marching on the streets. They had an occupying force who was really pulling the strings. They had a puppet King on the throne who was living very nicely and doing very well for himself. But they were also a people that were occupied and oppressed by other nations. They weren't truly free and they weren't truly sovereign. And yet, some people were saying, you know, "The promises of God. We've just got to hold onto them and wait for them." Some people must have been saying, "It's been centuries. Surely God's forgotten about us." So it's really amazing to see that the changes that happen when God breaks in at this period in history. He does it in a sleepy backwater town, outside the town, up in the hills. Angels appear to shepherds. Lowly, everyday working people. And God breaks in and shows to them, and here's why. This is what the angel says. "This is good news of great joy for all the people." This is for you. This is for them. These were nobodies in the society of their day. And the good news of Jesus is that a Savior has been born and it's good news for you. It was good news for everybody. And that's what we declare, isn't it? It is good news for all of us. The verse I really particularly want to focus on—can we have the next slide up, Graham?—is this particular little verse. That I've been talking a lot about just how incredible and crazy it is when these angels appear and what that experience must have been like. But in particular, I want to focus on how they respond. So the first angel appears, makes these promises, declares that a Savior has been born. They're going to see a sign when they see a baby. And then verse 13 it says: "A great company of heavenly host appear with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'" It's a declaration of a Savior coming and a declaration of peace. And then verse 15 says: "When the angels had left them and gone into heaven..." When the darkness closes back in... This is what they say to each other. They say: "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." When I was talking about what the people of Israel would have been thinking about when you've been waiting, waiting for centuries, the question they would have been asking is: Does God keep his promises? Does he keep his promises? Because God had promised so many things to Israel and to his people. That the latest promises in the times of the prophets, the ones that they had heard most recently in their history, were promises that God wasn't going to abandon them. That God wasn't going to leave them. That God wasn't going to let them be forgotten and waste away and just disappear. They weren't going to be just like all the other nations. That these were a people that God had chosen for a particular purpose with a particular plan in mind. That way, way back, millennia before, in the times of Abraham, God had promised that the people of Israel were the ones who were going to bring blessing to the nations. That through the children of Abraham, God was going to establish blessing. He wanted to bring goodness and life and love back into a world that is full of all the opposite of those things. We already talked about just how weary the world is. The people of Bethlehem at this time would have known the weariness of the world. Nothing is new under the sun. There are wars and there are famines. There's natural disasters. There's the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. All these things have been going on for all time. And yet those promises had been spoken over those people, and they hadn't seen anything. And then this incredible story is God appearing, speaking to shepherds, and this is how they respond: "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened." They've heard God speak in an incredible and powerful way. But they don't just take that as, "That's not it. They're out there and all of a sudden they have this amazing bright shining light. They fear for their lives. They don't know what's going on. But when it goes, their response is, 'Let's go and see.' Let's go and see." Let's go and see if God is doing what he promised. This word is saying that there's a Savior coming, and the words of a Savior, the promises of a Savior had been spoken over the people of Israel for centuries. So many promises. You go all the way back to the time of Moses, when God talks about reclaiming his people and healing them and restoring them. And you read the prophets that speak about God giving his people new hearts and re-establishing his promises to them, and re-establishing those ancient promises to bless all the nations through them. All those promises... they'd been waiting to see fulfilled. And some people have been looking. Some people have been looking for God to keep his promises. That's one of the patterns as you read Luke's gospel all the way through. We haven't read Chapter 1, but if you read Chapter 1 and you read Chapter 2 onwards, you see introductions, tiny little slice of life of characters who are people who believe in God and are waiting for him to keep his promises. Centuries on, when they've seen nothing. Some of them are very, very old. My favorite Bible story is when you get to Simeon who meets Jesus when Jesus is just a tiny baby. Because he's described as a person who has just been waiting. Waiting, waiting, waiting. That's all he's been doing. And that there would have been many people in Israel who were still waiting at this time. And when they hear the promises of God, that God is going to rescue his people, they want to go and see it. That's what they want to do. They want to go and see it. Let's go and see. So that's what they do. They go to see it. They see the promises fulfilled and they see the baby just lying there. I always wondered, you know, it doesn't actually say... it's interesting, the angel says, "A Savior is going to be born and this is going to be the sign, the sign is going to be a tiny little baby." Doesn't necessarily put two and two together. The angel says, "There's going to be a Savior and this is the sign, an incredible thing is going to happen, you're going to find a baby in a weird place." And yet the shepherds put two and two together. They see him and they say, they speak about the promises that were made over him. They put those two things together. They see a tiny baby, but they're like, "But what we heard... the promises of God is that this guy is going to be the Savior. This tiny little baby is going to be the Savior of our people." It's incredible that this is the response that they have. And yet it's really encouraging to me. You know, these shepherds would have known what it is to live in a weary world. And in that respect, they're a lot like us. So, let's look at some of the things that come up through this passage. Can I have the next slide up, Graham? God is speaking and has been speaking for centuries. And it's at this point in the Bible, when we read this story, centuries of promises are coming true. I'm going to read a quick passage from Isaiah Chapter 40. God had been speaking through the prophet Isaiah hundreds of years before. And this is one of the promises that were made through the prophet Isaiah. This is from Isaiah Chapter 40, starting at verse 1. "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. A voice of one calling: 'In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together.'" The promises of God are that the glory of God is going to be revealed. Through the prophet Isaiah, God is preaching comfort to his people. Knowing that they've got centuries of waiting to go. They've got to trudge through a weary world over and over, generation after generation, and all they've got to hold onto is the comfort of knowing that God has promised something and that God keeps his promises. They never saw it. You read Hebrews Chapter 11 and it describes all the heroes of faith going all the way back to the beginning of the Bible and it speaks about all these towering figures of faith like Moses and Abraham, and describes how they lived their life in faith. And at the end of the chapter it says every single one of these people never saw the fulfillment of the promises. But they lived by faith because they understood: God keeps his promises. Even if we don't see it. God keeps his promises. That's the comfort that God is establishing for his people. He has not forgotten them. And he's not abandoned them. And yet these promises that I'm reading to you now, for the shepherds, were hundreds of years old. They had to believe: "Is this really true? Does God really keep his promises?" The comfort that was found in knowing that God keeps his promises was illustrated to them by the glory of God. We speak about glory as, you know, bright shiny lights. That's how I depicted it on my slides. You know, that it says the glory of the Lord shone around them. And yet it's a picture of the reality. You know, I said that this wasn't a normal Tuesday for the shepherds. It says heaven opened up. And when you see inside, you see the heavenly host praising God and saying "Glory to God in the highest" and "on earth peace." That's a normal Tuesday for them. That wasn't a one-off. But when heaven is opened up and you see the heavenly host revealed, they're always praising God. They're always speaking that truth. They're always demonstrating God is the same God. A God who keeps his promises. A God who sends a Savior. Just wait. Just wait. Because it's coming. And then these are the lucky ones. The blessed shepherds who get to see God is keeping his promise. And they get to experience the joy of knowing that God is bringing his promises into reality right there in front of them in the shape of a tiny little baby. [Baby cries in background] Hello. Just woken up. God is speaking comfort. God is speaking of glory. God is bringing joy into the world. Into a weary world. So we're going to respond by singing together. We're going to do a Christmas song. Because that's what I want to do. Graham's going to put a song on for us together. Feel free to stand up, sit down, whatever you want to do. But we're going to sing with the angels. Are you feeling weary? You don't have to put your hand up this time. Because it's okay if you are. It really is. Because weariness is reality. It's the reality of this world that we live in. And the other reality is what we see peeled away when heaven opens up in front of these angels. That's reality. Angels praising God and saying "Give glory to God in the highest and on earth peace." God is bringing and establishing peace. So how are we going to respond? The best piece of advice I can give to you is... I think David Eden said it best... Angels aren't just for Christmas. Listen to the angels. That's my advice for you. If you're feeling weary today, listen to the angels. Because the angels are speaking comfort to people. God hasn't forgotten us. God hasn't abandoned us. They're speaking of his glory. He has a plan. He has sent a Savior. He is the one who has established the plans to bring Jesus into this world in small and inconspicuous ways. This is how God's kingdom grows on the earth. This is how God's kingdom is growing in us and through us. In small and inconspicuous ways. But God is establishing his kingdom. He's turning the world upside down. And also joy. If you want to experience joy today, listen to the angels. The angels are speaking of glory to God and peace on earth that is because of Jesus. Because of this little baby who arrived. Knowing that the sacrifice he was going to make was going to reclaim his people from death. And sin itself was going to be destroyed. These are the message of hope that the angels proclaimed. So we're going to respond by singing together.

The venerable city of Neuss between Cologne and Düsseldorf was founded in 16 BC as a Roman army camp, making it one of the oldest in Germany. Its history is marked by the usual mix of feuds with its archepiscopal overlord and the establishment of a trading and pilgrimage hub. Despite its Roman remains, the impressive church of St. Quirinius, and proximity to where I grew up, Neuss may never have appeared on the History of the Germans Podcast, had it not sustained a 10 month long siege in 1474/1475.A siege, even a brutal and prolonged one is not sufficiently unusual to be included in the show. But this one merits almost a whole episode. Tales of the heroic defense of a small town on the Rhine against an overbearing foe intent on wiping out their way of life, coalesced the empire in a way it had not come together since the days of Frederick Barbarossa. A watershed was crossed, under the leadership of an emperor who was more surprised than anyone to be put at the head of the resistance.And that is not all, in this episode we will also cover the very first trial for war crimes ever that took place in another small town in the same year 1474.

816 There went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, A Guided Christian Meditation on Luke 2:1-3 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in  and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ.  Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization.  You can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tense or unrelaxing.  If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes.   Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation:   Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate,  deflate. Scripture for Meditation Luke 2  KJV 1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. NIV 1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. Reflection on Scripture: With the coming of Christmas in several weeks I wanted to focus on the Birth of Christ. Luke 1 focuses on the foretelling of the birth of Jesus and the different testimonies of his divinity. Luke 2 here starts at an interesting spot. It begins with the Romans. This provides a very interesting question. Why did the Romans form the basis for the birthplace of Jesus? It seems that Jesus could have chosen to be born anywhere. He could have made it a deeply theological one as to where he was born, yet her the justification of why Jesus was born in Bethlehem came down to the decisions of Romans, who were gentiles, and were considered enemies to the people of God. Interesting that God chose to fulfill prophecy this way. Just as interesting, why didn't He prophecy something else as to the birthplace? God can fulfill his purposes any way he chooses. We can look to. Just as in times of old, he can chose any means he wants to fulfil his word. Many times in our lives we become convinced that God will only answer things in a certain way, or that good things can only come from good things. Yet God uses the oppression of his people and the respective census to begin the story. God can use bad things in our lives to drive positive change. The real distinction for what makes something good or bad, has more to do with how it causes us to draw near to God. God may have a calling for you, wrapped up in a bad package. The thing that makes it from God is that it draws you to God's light and truth.  Ponder now for a moment the different challenges you face? Might those be opportunities for your story to transition. Might they be the beginning of a story God is forming in your life. The struggle is that you will not know that until it is far too late to act. We must first seek the Kingdom of God. Pursue God and understanding will come later. Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind?  FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: jared@christianmeditationpodcast.com Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

Joyful MysteriesThe Five Joyful Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Mondays, Saturdays, and, during the season of Advent, on Sundays:“In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.” - Luke 1:26-27Fruit of the mystery: Humility“During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, 'Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.'” - Luke 1:39-42 Fruit of the mystery: Love of Neighbor“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” - Luke 2:1-7Fruit of the mystery: Poverty“When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb."When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, 'Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,' and to offer the sacrifice of 'a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,' in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.” - Luke 2:21-24Fruit of the mystery: Purity of Heart and Body“Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,  and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.” - Luke 2:41-47  Fruit of the mystery: Devotion to JesusThe AnnunciationThe Visitation The NativityThe Presentation in the TempleThe Finding in the Temple

Joyful MysteriesThe Five Joyful Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Mondays, Saturdays, and, during the season of Advent, on Sundays:“In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.” - Luke 1:26-27Fruit of the mystery: Humility“During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, 'Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.'” - Luke 1:39-42 Fruit of the mystery: Love of Neighbor“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” - Luke 2:1-7Fruit of the mystery: Poverty“When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb."When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, 'Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,' and to offer the sacrifice of 'a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,' in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.” - Luke 2:21-24Fruit of the mystery: Purity of Heart and Body“Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,  and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.” - Luke 2:41-47  Fruit of the mystery: Devotion to JesusThe AnnunciationThe Visitation The NativityThe Presentation in the TempleThe Finding in the Temple

Joyful MysteriesThe Five Joyful Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Mondays, Saturdays, and, during the season of Advent, on Sundays:The Annunciation“In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.” - Luke 1:26-27Fruit of the mystery: HumilityThe Visitation “During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, 'Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.'” - Luke 1:39-42 Fruit of the mystery: Love of NeighborThe Nativity“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” - Luke 2:1-7Fruit of the mystery: PovertyThe Presentation in the Temple“When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb."When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, 'Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,' and to offer the sacrifice of 'a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,' in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.” - Luke 2:21-24Fruit of the mystery: Purity of Heart and BodyThe Finding in the Temple“Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,  and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.” - Luke 2:41-47  Fruit of the mystery: Devotion to Jesus

Luke 2:1-20 "In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it--"

In this video, I take a look at a Topical Bible Studies video that gives five reasons to believe God exists. From the moral argument to design to history, I break down each claim and show why these arguments don't actually hold up.Cards:Top 10 Arguments For God...And Why They Fail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEqCZzANOcwExodus: An Online Bible Study - Did This Really Happen?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjBBqrnWctwOriginal Video: https://tinyurl.com/ynqfpjybSources:Did The Universe Have Zero Entropy At The Big Bang?: https://tinyurl.com/y329x6gkAntiquities of the Jews - Book XVIII: https://tinyurl.com/27ohsgp2The Wars Of The Jews - Book II: https://tinyurl.com/2659fpk7Embassy to Gaius: https://tinyurl.com/2yw3kwxwCensus of Quirinius: https://tinyurl.com/hfmfwbnSerious Problems with Luke's Census: https://tinyurl.com/2akoq7n9Creating the sacred from the profane: Collective effervescence and everyday activities: https://tinyurl.com/29zvuxdzBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/viced-rhino-the-podcast--4623273/support.

August 2, 2025Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 8 - Psalm 49:7-8, 13-14a, 15; antiphon: Psalm 49:1-2Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 17:20-47; Acts 26:24-27:8“But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.” (Psalm 49:15)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In Perelandra, the second book in C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy, the main character is sent to the planet Perelandra (what we call Venus) to save that planet from the kind of temptation and Fall that happened on the silent planet (what we call Earth). As the story begins, the man is sealed into and later arrives on Perelandra in a coffin-like spacecraft. And who exactly is this character who flies through the celestial vault in a casket, only to arrive at an unfallen planet and rescue it? A most fitting name: Ransom. The story Lewis tells us of Ransom's cosmic adventure and rescue of Perelandra is a beautiful picture of the true story of ransom in our own world. What the Psalmist sings about in Psalm 49 is God's rescuing and redeeming work of ransom. If God were to come to earth, we might imagine that he would do so in some spectacular way, perhaps a spaceship that would put the Millennium Falcon or the U.S.S. Enterprise to shame. Perhaps God would come faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. But Look! Behold! Not up, but down. Our Ransom comes from above, but is found below. So don't look up at the stars through a telescope, but look through your ears to the manger. God, our Ransom, comes to save us, not in a spacecraft, but wrapped in swaddling cloths and cooing and wiggling in the arms of the Virgin Mary. His name is Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. His name is Ransom, for he will pay for your sins with every drop of his blood on the cross.What the Psalmist sings - God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol - takes place in the manger of Bethlehem and the cross outside Jerusalem. After all, God's work of Ransom doesn't happen once upon a time, or in a galaxy far, far away. But in the days of Caesar, when all the Roman world was taxed and when Quirinius was governor of Syria, and when Pilate washed his hands. And the good news is this: your ransom is no science fiction story; it's a fact. Under the darkness of a noonday night sky, Jesus gave his life as a ransom for you. And three days later, he walked out of the cold, dark expanse of the tomb to bring you new life. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Since Christ has full atonement made And brought to us salvation Each Christian therefore may be glad And build on this foundation. Your grace alone, dear Lord, I plead, Your death is now my life indeed, For You have paid my ransom. (LSB 555:6)Rev. Samuel Schuldheisz, pastor of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Milton, WA.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius's life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

Birth of a King G'day and welcome to Partake! We are now on day 11 of our series "Glimpses", looking at the story of the Bible in 30 days, from the time of creation through to the time of the fullness of redemption! We looked together at the Covenants in the Old Testament as a set of stairs from Creation through to what we call the New Covenant. Now, we have started looking at the documents which record the life of Jesus Christ, who as Christians, claim to fulfil those Covenants we talked about. His birth is the most celebrated around the world and He transcends cultures, peoples and languages. Jesus Christ is the most unique person in all of recorded history. He is also the most divisive person to be found at any time and anywhere. Almost everyone has an opinion about him, even if that opinion is based on ignorance, silence or misinformation. Climbing the staircase! Like climbing a staircase, step by step, we looked at together through the Covenants and we caught glimpses of God sending a saviour or messiah for the world. We discovered that God was planning the time when He would step into history as this saviour person, who we believe to be the man, Jesus Christ. We looked at the Covenants that God made with people, which all looked forward to this saviour, messiah and king. These covenants were to Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and David. This King was to be their hope - their saviour. Jesus' genealogy as recorded in the Gospels takes his physical line back to Abraham via David. Abraham as we saw was the father of Israel and David the King with a promise from God to have a king on the throne forever. Jesus grew into maturity as any young Jewish boy did. Life Events You can read about the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ in the following passages from the Bible: Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 1:26-38; Luke 2:1-18; John 1v1-18 Documented in history and affirmed by most secular and non-Christian sources. Here are the events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ and his early childhood from the Gospel record: His Pre-existence - John 1:1-5 His Genealogy - Matthew 1:1-17, Luke 3:23-38 Angel Gabriel visits Mary - Luke 1:26-38 Angel appears to Joseph in a dream - Matthew 1:18-25 His Birth in Bethlehem - Matthew 1:25, Luke 2:1-7 Shepherds visit him at the manger - Luke 2:8-20 His circumcision and presentation in the Temple according to the Covenant Law of Moses - - Luke 2:21-38 Wise men present gifts in house - Matthew 2:1-12 Joseph's family including Jesus escape to Egypt with Jesus - Matthew 2:13-15 Herod's wrath on Bethlehem's children - Matthew 2:16-18 Herod dies in Spring of 4 BC - Matthew 2:19 Joseph's family including Jesus settles in Nazareth - Luke 2:39 Events in his childhood - Luke 2:40-52 Luke 2v1-7, 21-24. Please do make a note of the names of history recorded by Luke to date the birth of the man, Jesus: Now it happened in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant. It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth. She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn. When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"), and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." Birth of Jesus Christ That Jesus was a human male is not really disputed. However, the birth of Jesus Christ is extraordinary at every level. He was born of a woman, which in itself tells us that at least in a prenatal state, he was nurtured and formed as any other male baby was and is. On the physical level, Jesus was born as any person is, but as regards his conception, He was conceived like no other person - conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1v35). This was so that Jesus would not be given the sinful nature past that all humans have. Jesus was fully human and fully divine. Other documents, outside of the Bible from that time period also attest to Jesus and his existence. What's in a name? When Jesus was born, his name imbued the very reason he was born. His conception and birth were extraordinary at every level. So important is our understanding of the birth of Jesus that no fewer than 4 angels come to give us a full picture of the event. Do you think that his parents, Joseph & Mary ever gazed upon him, and thought "How misnamed he is!" They did not, because they knew the very purpose for which he was born. Did Jesus ever think of how misnamed he was? Certainly not! His name means one who saves, or a rescuer. The entirety of his birth, life and death were centred on this very role. His role was to save all those who would follow Him. Further up the staircase! As we look through the remainder of this series we will discover together how and why He was born to be this messiah, saviour and king we caught glimpses of in the Old Testament. We will see that Jesus confirms God's promises, that he reveals God as a Father and that he gave us an example of how to live life to the full. We shall also see how his life was the catalyst for a religious revolution. He was not merely a man who received some special power. He was not some strange creation that was half man and half God, with his human nature somehow absorbed into the divine. He was, as we shall see in this series, much more than those ideas! In our next study we will look at Jesus' Mission and Identity. Thank you! Right mouse click or tap here here to download as a MP3 audio file

Fr. Daniel Alloy, FSSP has served as Parochial Vicar at Regina Caeli Parish in Houston, Texas since July of 2022. He was ordained in June of 2020.   In Today's Show If one accidentally eats within the eucharistic fast period, should he refrain from receiving communion? How should Catholics view Francisco Franco, as a hero or villain? Is it sinful to use your friend's Netflix account? At the pontifical high mass why do some of the Master of Ceremonies have lace on their surplices? I had a co-worker who was abused by a priest when he was young, is it appropriate to try and bring him back to the Faith? Should Catholics refer to the Holy Land of Biblical times as Israel? I'm concerned with the lack of reverence in the church near me, what can I do to help the situation? Can my baby be baptized with more than one godfather and one godmother? Is intrusive thoughts that wish harm or death considered a mortal sin? Did censuses such as that of Quirinius include children? Are there any studies on Catholic meditation improving health? Is it possible to get an annulment for a civil wedding with the couple still married? I had an abortion when I was young, am I obligated to tell my son who is a seminarian? How can I cultivate a rich seminary personal rule of life? Why does the celebrant wear a cope and why is it held up during the procession? Is it a mortal sin to eat beyond fullness with full knowledge? Is the popular song Viva la Vida by Coldplay blasphemous? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Daily Study: Luke 2:1-7 NLT [1] At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.  [2] (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  [3] All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.  [4] And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.  [5] He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. [6] And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.  [7] She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.   Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com                  

In Part 1, Timothy Mahoney and Dr. Fred Baltz discuss the census described in Luke Chapter 2 during the birth of Christ.         Critical scholars have claimed that Luke is inaccurate for noting Quirinius as Roman 'Governor' of Syria at this time, thus throwing the historicity of his Gospel into question.          However, are these scholars searching in the correct time, was Quirinius in a different type of governing role, and are they looking for the right type of census? Moreover, has Herod the Great's death been dated properly? An amazing pattern of evidence is revealed, illustrating that Luke's Gospel is true history!         If you'd like to see the video vesion of this episode, follow this link to our Patterns+ platform! We make the first video of each new Patterns+ series freely available for everyone, while the subsequent videos in the series are released for our supporters. With this episode being Part 1, anyone can see the video version, which we've also released on our YouTube Channel.       https://digitalpatternsofevidence.vhx.tv/videos/the-census-the-birth-of-christ-with-dr-fred-baltz-part-1         ➡️ HELP US FUND THE NEXT FILM

Today’s Bible Verse: “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria." - Luke 2:1-2 “Want to listen without ads? Become a BibleStudyTools.com PLUS Member today: https://www.biblestudytools.com/subscribe/ MEET OUR HOSTS at https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.