Even In The Darkest of Times
The Prince of Peace was born 2000 years ago. There are people today who don’t believe that He even existed, much less makes an impact today. But is that true? Can we see the impact of Christ in our world today? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he shows us the importance and impact of Christmas in his Christmas Message, The Father’s Christmas Gift Pt. 3: Peace On Earth The Night the Guns Fell Silent.
Jesus, the Word of God, has always existed, yet He had to grow in favor with God and in wisdom. Why? If Jesus is eternal and forever, why does He have to grow, learn, and study? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he shares some Christmas insight in his Christmas message, The Father’s Christmas Gift Pt. 2: Growing In Favor.
Christmas used to be a simple time of remembering and celebrating the birth of Christ. There were a few gifts given, but the presents never seemed to outshine the true reason for the season. But it seems with every generation, Christmas becomes more and more commercialized and less about the birth of Christ. So, what should Christians do for Christmas, should they boycott the holiday entirely, or is there another way? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he opens our eyes to the importance of Christians celebrating Christmas in his Christmas Sunday message, The Quest For Christmas Pt. 4: A Christian’s Christmas Quest.
17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. ~ 2 Corinthians 2:17
Christmas is the epitome of gift exchange. I’m not sure why Christians are so up in arms over the commercialization of Christmas. Yes, Christmas is exploited. Yes, Christmas has become commercialized. Yes, Christmas has become consumer-driven. Yes, Christmas is all of these things. But I want to bring this to your attention what Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church.
See, what was happening was that men began to preach the message of the Cross for a profit. But that did not stop Paul from preaching, nor did it knock him off his commission, like it does us today. We have a huge opportunity to preach Jesus because of Christmas. Because Christmas is celebrated by believers as well as nonbelievers alike. Why would we miss out on such a huge opportunity?
Then, later, they preached the Good News to bring more trouble down upon Paul. But Paul did not become disillusioned with the insincerity. He actually rejoiced. Paul rejoiced that no matter what, no matter how the Gospel was being preached. But Christians can’t seem to see the good in things. Everything does not need to be negative. Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.”
Let’s Celebrate Christmas. Let’s not look at the overindulgence and criticize, but rather, let us say, as Paul said, “…at least the Gospel of Jesus is being preached.” Understand this, no matter what, Jesus is the reason for the season, and they can’t take that away from us. So, rejoice; Jesus came to earth for our benefit. He came for you and for me. He came for your family and for my family.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Let’s Celebrate Christmas.
Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men (Luke 2:14)
Christmas is a time for family and for gathering together. It is a time to reconcile with both friends and loved ones alike. A time to create, nurture, and treasure up loving and lasting memories.
Christmas is a time for giving, and for volunteering one’s time for the service of Jesus. It is the season of generosity and kindness.
And Because God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross so that whomsoever believes in Him should themselves, not die, but gain eternal life, we too commemorate the day, by exchanging gifts and expressions of goodwill toward our fellow humans. Yes, we say, Merry Christmas! Why?
Because when we say merry Christmas, we are speaking blessings over that person. We are pronouncing all of what God intended for us to have over them. Peace. Joy. Goodwill. God’s favor. Shalom. And many, many more blessings. Why would you not want that?Peace.
Love. Go Forth and Embrace The Season.
Every Christmas season we talk about the shepherds, the wise men, Mary and Joseph, but rarely do we talk about Simeon and Anna. These two seem to be missed most Christmases, but their stories are very important. Why? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he parallels our day and age with the days of the birth of Jesus in his Christmas message, The Quest For Christmas Pt. 3: Simeon & Anna’s Christmas Quest.
Each and every Christmas, we are given the choice to either follow the will of God or back down in fear. 2,000 years ago, 9 months before the birth of Christ, Mary was given that same choice. We often talk about Mary’s part in the birth of Christ, but do we truly understand the intensity of her decision? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he shows us the importance of Mary’s decision in his Christmas message, The Quest For Christmas Pt. 2: Mary’s Christmas Quest.
Two thousand years ago, Jesus came to earth as a helpless baby. This birth wasn’t just random; it was planned and prophesied for thousands of years before it happened. Who was this prophesied to? The Chosen people of God, the Jews. Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he refocuses us on the true meaning of Christmas in his Christmas message, The Quest For Christmas Pt. 1: Israel’s Christmas Quest.
15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel. ~ Genesis 3:15
2,000 years ago, God set off His Godliness, took the form of man, and came to earth as a baby to save the world. This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. This was a well-planned rescue mission prophesied from the Garden of Eden. See, God created Adam in His own Image and then created woman because man could not be alone. His creation was perfect, and He would come, walk, and talk with His creation daily. Then suddenly, in an instant, His creation was completely corrupted.
So, what does God do? In the punishment of the tempter and deceiver, God prophesies the hope of all of humanity. See, the Serpent was the root of the fall of mankind, so not only was the Serpent punished, but the eventual undoing of all that he had done was prophesied. Let that sink in. The Serpent intended for the downfall of all humanity, but the LORD not only punished him but also told him how He (God) would undo his evil actions.
Let this be a reminder this Christmas season that even when the Devil tempts you successfully, God will be there to show all involved His plan of redemption. Be encouraged by this and let not your hearts be discouraged by the temptations of this world, for the LORD will also come to redeem those who love Him and whom He loves.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Look For His Prophecies.
Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
Christmas is the one holiday that isn’t politically correct. It’s the holiday that seems to offend many people just by the mention of its name. Why is that? Is there a reason there is so much pushback on Christmas? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he opens our eyes to the Truth behind the Christmas season in his Christmas Sunday Message, Jesus Is The Reason For The Season Pt. 4: Jesus, The Spirit of Christmas.
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!”
Luke 2:1-13
Jesus is the Spirit of Christmas, that is the reason that the very words Merry Christmas offends the world.
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