December 8, 2024
Series Overview: In this series, we will be diving into specific verses etched over 2000 years ago inside of the Christmas story and allowing those verse to come alive in us today. Our heartfelt prayer is these verses would speak to, challenge, encourage and bring supernatural comfort, joy and strength to your heart and home, in Jesus Name!
LUKE 2:1-21 NIV
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. 21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. —Ferris Buehler
4 reasons we need to find routine times to pause, treasure and ponder…
It gives sight to blessing.
PROVERBS 17:6 ESV
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged.
2 CORINTHIANS 10:5 NIV
…and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
It provides you a rest rhythm.
GENESIS 2:2-3 NKJV
And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.
It provides you a deeper prayer life.
PSALM 104:34 ESV
May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.
PSALM 119:15 ESV
I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.
1 KINGS 19:12-13 NIV
…came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out…
It helps you trust God.
LUKE 2:19 NIV
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Closing thought…
Be encouraged to use today’s message as an invitation to pursue a life that lives out the message you just received. We also invite you to (if you already haven’t) invite Christ and His forgiveness over your life, giving you eternity with Him. We sincerely pray today’s talk has blessed you and becomes your experienced reality!
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