Fourth Day of Christmas Prayer

Note: December 28 has traditionally been called "Massacre of the Innocents" or "Childermass." It has traditionally been set aside to remember the small ones in Bethlehem that Herod slaughtered in his attempt to kill Jesus (Matthew 2:16-18). Father, On this day of Christmastide, we consider the children of Bethlehem the evil Herod slaughtered. These poor … Continue reading Fourth Day of Christmas Prayer →

Advent’s Ending, Christmastide’s Arrival – Light and Redemption

Christmas morning has arrived! We have been taking time to study about Advent in our adult Sunday School class. Advent means “coming,” so Advent is the time we reflect on Jesus’ coming. The Church has traditionally reflected on His first and second comings during the season of Advent. We remember the first coming when Jesus … Continue reading Advent’s Ending, Christmastide’s Arrival – Light and Redemption →

Advent Part 3 – Exile, Longing, Home, Satisfaction

Exile. If you are like me, you automatically get a picture of a remote desert island. Perhaps you think of Napoleon Bonaparte who was exiled twice; once he was exiled to Elba and another time to St. Helena where he eventually died. Maybe you think of the fictional Robinson Crusoe who was marooned on a … Continue reading Advent Part 3 – Exile, Longing, Home, Satisfaction →

Advent Part 2 – Darkness, Death, Light, Life

Let’s begin by reading Luke 2:22-38: Luke 2:22–38 [22] And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord [23] (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be … Continue reading Advent Part 2 – Darkness, Death, Light, Life →

Advent Part One – Season of Darkness, Death, Exile, and Longing

The following is part one of a three-part series on Advent. This series is for the adult Sunday School class at Pioneer Bible Church. We are in the season of Advent. I used to view Advent simply as the time leading up to Christmas. Advent is the time every year that we study Matthew 1-2 … Continue reading Advent Part One – Season of Darkness, Death, Exile, and Longing →