The reign of Jesus compared and contrasted with that of Idi Amin Dada, former ruler of Uganda, Africa.

Sermon text: 1. To follow after the Star of Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-8) 2. To worship before the Star of Bethlehem (Matthew 2:9-12)

"...Herod is going to search for the child to kill him..."—Matthew 2:13

A minister once said, "Away with the sentimental baby Jesus...away with the manger!" But the infant Jesus is more than cute. He's the incarnate God in vulnerable form. So bow down, like the Wise Men, to the virgin-born child.

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. —Isaiah 11:6

"So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."—Matthew 24:44

"But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."—John 20:31

"One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan."—Luke 17:15-16

Baptism brings us together as a family—God's family. Even though we have broken lives, baptism saves us and reunites us with Christ in the closest community one experiences this side of heaven.

In Holy Communion God creates a holy community—through his body and blood. It's a close spiritual union: "Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body for we all partake of the one loaf."—1 Corinthians 10:17