An exploration of the being of God, including attention to the Trinity. This week will also set up the series and perhaps frame out why Genesis is so important, why Genesis 1-11 is so challenging, and how we will approach the series theologically, biblically, and spiritual formationally.

Simeon, old and worn but still buoyed by expectation, holds in his arms the Messiah he has been longing for. He cannot hold it in, speaking praise over all who can hear and offering a prophetic word over Jesus. Anna the prophetess stands nearby and speaks a word over this wonder-child as well.

Luke 2:22-38

A Christmas Eve message from Pastor Matt Erickson of Eastbrook Church, 2022.

Jesus is born to Mary and Joseph and the angels erupt in praise. The shepherds don’t linger long after this nighttime divine interruption. They high-tail it to Bethlehem to see what God has done. 

Luke 2:8-20

Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, finds release from his punishment of muteness with a splendid song of praise to God. Within this beautiful song of praise, Zechariah unfolds the story of salvation, reflecting John the Baptist’s unique role within it.

Mary praises God for His plans and her part within it. This beautiful prayer expounds the way in which God is doing a new thing in Jesus, but also speaks prophetically about the upside-down kingdom coming with this new humble king.

Mary’s simple statement of surrender opens wide to us the wonders of the incarnation. Mary is a reassured and revered figure in the story of salvation, but also serves as an example of humble responsiveness and receptivity to God in our lives.

Along with some final greetings, Paul’s last segment of this letter gives us some basic exhortations to living our hope out in everyday life as God’s new community, the church.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

At the heart of this epistle is Paul’s unpacking of the return of Christ. More than almost any other letter of Paul, 1 Thessalonians reveals what our future hope is all about. 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

Hope may seem abstract, but it lives in our daily words and actions. Paul urges the believers to let their hope shape the way they live now and we can learn how that is true for us as well.