The genealogy of Jesus - several stories with up's and down's, all part of a greater Story leading to Jesus. (Matthew 1:1-17)

There's a massive difference between good news and good advice. On Christmas, good news arrived not as a new religion, a book, or a philosophy, but as a tiny, baby boy. (Luke 2:1-14)

Our pursuit of happiness is killing our joy. The good news that brings great joy is more than our feelings and circumstances, having the power to transform our present. (Luke 2:8-11, Romans 5:3-5)

God gives direction through angels and miraculous signs in the Christmas story. So how are we supposed to figure out what his will is for us? (Romans 8:28-30, 12:1-2)

Advent teaches us that we have a promise that can sustain us in the present, even in our pain. (Luke 1:26-38)

The early Christian community lived in the awareness and expectancy of God's power at work among them - not just among the elite, but in the lives of ordinary people. (James 5:13-18)

We all judge by discerning right from wrong. But James calls us not to condemn and stand over others as we discern. (James 4:1-12)

Jesus told us that our words are the overflow of our hearts. James expounds on this, showing us that the way we speak as Christ followers should be markedly different. (James 3:1-12)

James reminds us that the faith we're called to will overflow with good works, as we learn to love our neighbors like Jesus loves us. (James 2:14-26)

James reminds us that even when we don't know the 'why' of our sufferings, we always know what - God is working for our good. (James 1:1-18)