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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. (Luke 2:17-18) The shepherds were not the obvious choice to be the first evangelists. They were marginal, overlooked by society, and lived on the edges of the community, taking care of their sheep. But on th...
Keep ReadingAnd 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" (Luke 2:9-10, ESV). I'll get right to it. Are Christmas carols allowed before Thanksgiving? Or are they reserved for December? T...
Keep ReadingThe angel said to [the shepherds], "I bring you good news of great joya Savior has been born;He is Christ the Lord"...the shepherds said to one another, "let's go to Bethlehem and see"...when they had seen Him, they spread the wordall who heard it were amazed (Luke 2:10-11,15,17). ...
Keep ReadingRang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior's birth How is Advent sounding in your soul this year? In this preparatory season that culminates in the great celebration of Christmas, we are pairing together Scripture and song. Familiar Scripture passages and some well-loved songs and carols. This week, it's Luke 2:8-20 and Go, Tell It on the Mountain! As we listen ...
Keep ReadingAll this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us") (Matthew 1:22, 23). O come, O come, Immanuel, Last year found me in somewhat of an exile, and I prayed every day, multiple times a day, in every way I knew how, for rescue. I cried out t...
Keep Reading[Editor's note: Happy Thanksgiving to all our CD readers!] O come, o come, EmmanuelAnd ransom captive IsraelThat mourns in lonely exile hereUntil the Son of God appear "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"(which means "God with us") (Matthew 1: 23). Food! Fast, hot, and ready! Coffee! Grab it and go! Movies! On demand, rig...
Keep ReadingBut after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill wha...
Keep ReadingShe [Mary] will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,because he will save his people from their sins(Matthew 1:21). As you reflect on the message of Advent, I invite you to listen to the beautiful hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Click here to listen. The song is a prayer of longing, not just for ancient Israel, but for all people, everywhere. The s...
Keep Reading"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel" (Matt. 1:23, quoting Isaiah 7:14). ...
Keep ReadingHow then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? (Romans 10:14-15a ESV). Football is the ultimate team sport. Apologies to anyone into soccer, basketball, or any of the others. They're all grea...
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