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"Jesus is Alive" is not normally a Christmas greeting, but I guess it could be! Josh Wilson's song "Jesus is Alive" reminds us all that Christ first came to life in human form as a baby in Bethlehem so long ago. That breath changed everything! When Jesus came back to life after Calvary, that breath changed everything again! So whether we are thinking of Christmas or the Resurrection, let's declare that Jesus is alive!

There is joy in the coming of Christ, but that doesn't mean that His coming eliminated all grief. Let's explore the two together.

On this episode I discuss:

• Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture - this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
  • Repetition - this is the fourth week in Christmas story Scriptures
  • Make a list
  • Read in context
• My desire for you to read the Bible and know what it says
• Making a list of verbs in Luke 2:8-20
• Contrasting the "good news of great joy" with the grief also found in and around the story
• How "long journey," "no room," and "manger crib" would not have been in my birthing plan (and frankly were probably not in Mary's either)
• How a virgin birth could cause grief - consider Matthew 1:18-19
• What may have happened between verse 24 and 25 - Matthew 1:24-25
• The section of the story we tend to skip over - Matthew 2:16-18
• How the good news that brings great joy was impacted but not superseded by sin and sorrow
• The disciples own grief to joy moments predicted by Jesus in John 16:17-22
• How Mary Magdalene's grief blinded her to the presence of Jesus standing right before her - John 20:11-18 

Additional Resources

• Lyrics and chords - Praise Charts
• The story behind the song "Jesus is Alive" by Josh Wilson - YouTube Video

This Week's Challenge

Give yourself permission to explore the joy and the grief in the Christmas story and in this season in your life. Read in Luke 2 and make a list of verbs and let them take you into your own adventure in Scripture. Don’t turn away from the grief described in Matthew chapter 2 or in John 16. Bring your sorrows and joys to the feet of Jesus. And like Mary Magdalene when she said, “I have seen the Lord!” and shared the words of Jesus with her friends, do the same with those in your life — sharing truth with a friend is the best!

 

 

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