Simeon was a righteous, devout old man who longed to see the Lord's Christ, but he, the baby, and the parents were common people. What an odd scene for the public proclamation of "a light for revelation to the Gentiles."

We live in a world of want, and holiday toy catalogs don't help. In the days before Christmas, let's consider how our Lord brings comfort to the lowly, comfort through His message, and comfort through His love.

After Mary hears from the angel of the Lord, she runs to her cousin Elizabeth, who says anyone who believes what the Lord has spoken is blessed. Both women are pregnant and feel the Lord with them. And how does Mary respond?

In order to live together in harmony, we need the incarnation. We exist for the Father, and we exist through Christ not just as individuals but also as a congregation -- all together as the body of Christ.

Thankfulness is deeply rooted in Christ's life in us and our living with him. Wearing Christ Jesus as we dress for the day, putting on love as a coat over everything else. We do this in thankfulness.

God sees the whole earth and all the believers and unbelievers within it, but why do unbelievers exists at all? Is God concerned about them? The apostle Paul pushes into this area with the warning that we should not think we are wiser than we are.

In the middle of a difficult passage on salvation and election, the apostle Paul recalls an Old Testament tradition. If the first bit of dough is holy, then the whole lump is holy too. What does that mean, and how could it possibly apply to believers...

What did the woman intend by using such expensive perfume on Jesus's feet? Was this too extravagant an act of worship?

The Heidelberg Catechism asks, "What is your only comfort in life and death?"

How can God remain in control when those who appear to be so close to him have rejected him?