Light burst through the darkness when Jesus was born! He came not merely as a good teacher or do-good-er. He came as a Savior to bring new life to dead men. He came to set captives free from sin. He came to bring a power to change and a love that transforms far greater than anything the world had ever known. He came to bring life that is truly life. There is no fullness of life without the miraculous birth, sacrificial death, and overcoming resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is what the apostle Paul prayed would permeate every fiber of every Christian’s thinking, asking, and living.

This morning we’re reflecting on Mary’s prayer in Luke 1, a beautiful example of whole-self praise in response to God’s undeserved blessings. Her words invite us to marvel at God’s mercy, to remember His faithfulness to us, and to see how He lifts up the overlooked. As we sit with her prayer, may it lead us into deeper gratitude, wonder, and worship.

As the grand story of Scripture unfolds, that scarlet thread of redemption makes its way from the promises of the prophets to the miraculous births of two children. In Luke 1 we get to witness the heartfelt devotion of two parents rejoicing as the story is now passed to them. Like the rising of the sun, the tender mercies of God’s love are breaking through … and nothing will ever be the same!

The story of Christmas starts long before that manger night with Joseph and Mary. Shadows, promises and pictures liter the road from Genesis to Matthew, giving hope and creating anticipation. Many missed the signs, but those devoted to Yahweh embraced them. God sent prophets who served as modern-day preachers and hope-givers of what was to come. Their words brought joy and delight to those devoted to journeying with the Lord, both then and now. Come find that joy!

In this sermon on Mark 13:1–13, we explore Jesus’ teaching about the end, challenging listeners to move from curiosity about timelines to faithful living marked by vigilance, endurance, and gospel-centered purpose. Rather than fearing wars, disasters, or uncertainty, believers are called to trust God’s control, remain steadfast under persecution, and prioritize proclaiming Christ while being led daily by the Holy Spirit.

Coming now to the end of Jesus’ public teaching ministry we have one of the most radical contrasts in Scripture. On one side – the self-promoting, manipulating, immoral scribes … and on the other side – one poor widow. This widow’s gift is one of the most powerful teaching moments in the Gospels. Jesus calls His disciples to come watch what a life fully surrendered to God looks like. She is living the kind of “deny-yourself discipleship” and “servant-of-all sacrifice” that all who follow Jesus are to live!

Jesus had been barraged by the questions of the Jewish leaders as they aimed to trap Him in order to destroy Him. Now it’s His turn for a question. And what a strange question Jesus poses here in our passage. As strange as it may be, Jesus accomplishes His ultimate aim in communicating who He is and why He came. Jesus clearly knows the mission His Father had for Him … do you?

The Bible tells us what a gift our children are to us, and yet every parent and teacher also knows what a challenge it is to raise children. In our day, philosophies of child-rearing range far and wide; from authoritarian homes to permissive homes, and often the church is no different than the world. So, what are we to do in obedience to the command to “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4)? We must be families, and a family of families as the church, that treasure our kids as we teach them what to treasure.