The gospel, the good news, is news to be shared. Alternating airs and choruses picture the glad tidings of the sounds of this news that Christ lives being preached unto the ends of the world. Those who receive this news in faith are surely blessed. In contrast, the rejection of this news is devasting…what’s the... Continue Reading

Jesus Christ is the prophesied sprout from Jesse’s stock. The opening verse of the New Testament designates him as “the son of David” (Matthew 1:1), and his birth in Bethlehem and endowment with the divine Spirit fit the prophetic profile for the messianic king. Yet Jesus is born in a lowly manger, raised in backwoods... Continue Reading

If we are to know God, we can look to philosophy, creation, and the cross and the empty tomb, but let us not forget to look to the manger. The story of the birth of Jesus Christ is more than just warm feelings, a nostalgic glow of fuzzy spirituality. The incarnation draws us into the... Continue Reading

Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem in order to fulfill this ancient prophecy. This was the plan God had established before the foundation of the world. Therefore, in accordance with God’s plan, the ruling power of Caeser was used to call for a taxation that would require Joseph and Mary to comply with a... Continue Reading

The New Testament’s description of Christ’s miraculous conception, virgin birth, and childhood are fulfillments of the Old Testament’s hope. This includes hope for the Messiah, for David’s son, for Abraham’s heir, for the seed of woman. It includes hope for the restored temple, for the restored land, and for the restored people of God. As... Continue Reading

Spurgeon’s meditation keeps the focus on the announced subject, which is why we should be supremely happy about the birth of Christ. It is a simple idea, but Spurgeon keeps unfolding more and more nuances, until we begin to think that the subject is inexhaustible. The ​​starting point is the message of the angels to... Continue Reading

As much as Advent is a season for gathering with family and friends, for the church it is a missional launching point for us to inhabit and take the gospel to the world. The world sits and waits year after year for a savior. They make functional saviors of sex, power, possessions, comfort, and a... Continue Reading

Music and poetry in the form of song play a significant role in God’s design for His glory and our good. God is delighted to receive His praise not simply from the words of our lips, but in songs—in words set to poetic form, and that to a melody. The beauty of God’s hand in... Continue Reading

“How many loaves do you have?” (Mark 8: 5). Jesus does not ask you to resolve all the problems of the world. But as your King he determines the nature of his kingdom. He asks you to have deep and sincere feelings for the needs of the world, to see this faceless mob of humanity... Continue Reading

The Psalter poetically retells the story of Israel in a way that assures its reader that YHWH directs human history, the entirety of human experience is accounted for, a new Davidic king will return, and a new Zion will accompany him. Each of these perspectives is present throughout Scripture, but they are all enhanced when... Continue Reading