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.
John 1:14 Luke 2:10 Luke 2:14 Matthew 2:1-12 Genesis 1:14-19 2 Corinthians 2:17 Philippians 1:15-18 Proverbs 19:21
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.
Micah 5:2-5 Matthew 2:5-6 Malachi 3:1 Isaiah 7:3-6 Isaiah 7:9b Isaiah 7:12 Isaiah 7:14 Psalm 2:1-2 Isaiah 9:6-7 (NKJV) John:1:46 Hebrews 12:2 Matthew 16:23 Luke 19:10 2 Corinthians 3:12-16 (NKJV)
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.
Luke 2:1-7 Micah 5:2 Luke 2:6 Matthew 2:11 Luke 2:21-24, 39-40 Leviticus 12:3 Leviticus 12:2 Leviticus 15:19-23 Leviticus 12:4 Luke 1:59 Matthew 2:18 Esther 9:19 (NIV)
Jesus Is The Reason For The Season
Jesus, The Spirit of Christmas
1In 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.
Christmas time is often seen as a time of gifts and presents brought to good little boys and girls from Santa Claus, but there are very few mentions of the ultimate and first Christmas present given to us 2,000 years ago and who gave it. What was the ultimate Christmas present given, who gave it, and who was it given to? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he opens our eyes to what love is in his message, Jesus Is The Reason For The Season Pt. 2: Jesus, the Spirit of Love.
John 3:16 John 3:3 John 3:5 John 3:16 Micah 5:2 (NIV) John 17:5 Matthew 7:11 John 5:19 in John 14:13-14 Isaiah 9:6 James 4:2-3
Jesus Is The Reason For The Season
Jesus, The Spirit of Love
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Isaiah 9:6-7
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
James 1:16-17
Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of Lights. Jesus is the Spirit of Love fulfilling every good and perfect gift that comes down from the Father of Lights.
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
The Christmas season is one of the most beloved seasons of the year. It’s filled with family, friends, giving, receiving, and joy, but it’s also filled with chaos, hustling, shopping, and oftentimes arguing. All of these things make it very easy to forget the true reason we celebrate this special time of year. Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas in his message, Jesus Is The Reason For The Season Pt. 1: Jesus, The Spirit of Peace.
Luke 2:8-14 (NKJV) John 8:12 John 3:19-21 John 4:42 Isaiah 57:19 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (KJV) Luke 19:42 Isaiah 53:5 Hebrews 12:14a (NIV) Matthew 24:35 Isaiah 9:7 2 Peter 3:7 Ephesians 2:14-17 Job 22:21 Romans 5:1
Jesus Is The Reason For The Season
Jesus, The Spirit of Peace
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon Him; And with His stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 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. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, 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, goodwill toward men!”
We all know the Christmas Story of Luke chapter 2. It starts with, “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.” When we read this verse, we don’t think much about it, as I’m sure Caesar didn’t either. Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he opens our eyes to the significance of one of the most overlooked verses in the Bible in his Christmas message, The Hope of Christmas Pt. 4: The Decree of Caesar Augustus.
Luke 2:1-20 (KJV) Proverbs 19:21 (NIV) Jeremiah 1:12 Ezekiel 12:25 Luke 1:37
The Decree of Caesar Augustus
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.
This decree of Caesar Augustus started the beginning of the greatest gift from above.
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!”
The angels rejoiced because they understood that the greatest Christmas gift had just been given to all of mankind. Jesus is the true message of Christmas.
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.
Every year on December 25th, we celebrate the birth of Christ. This year is no different, but do we fully understand what we’re celebrating? What does it truly mean for all of mankind that Jesus Christ was born 2000 years ago? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he brings us to the true meaning of the birth of Christ in his message, The Hope of Christmas Pt. 3: And His Name Shall Be Called Jesus.
Matthew 1:18–25 John 1:11 Matthew 1:18b Luke 1:39 Luke 1:30–31 Proverbs 27:1 Acts 4:10–12 John 16:33 Matthew 1:21
And His Name Shall Be Called Jesus
The Prophecy of Jesus Christ
18 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.
Today, Christmas is becoming more and more controversial to celebrate. Many could argue that Christmas itself is under attack. Many don’t realize that this isn’t new. Christmas has always been under attack from the very beginning. 2,000 years ago, there was a war between good and evil. God Himself was the subject of an attack by the enemy. But when was this attack, and when was Christ ever really in jeopardy? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he opens our eyes to the very first attack on Christmas in his message, The Hope of Christmas Pt. 2: The Dragon Who Tried to Steal Christmas.
Matthew 2:1–2 Matthew 2:9–11 Matthew 2:7–8 Hebrews 4:13 Revelation 12 Esther 1:13
The Dragon Who Tried to Steal Christmas
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy Him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and His mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”
Matthew 2:13-18
What does this have to do with the dragon trying to steal the very hope of Christmas?
1And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2 She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. 3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. 4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. 5 She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, 6 and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.
