Sin creates a break between us and creation. But we won't be able to compare our suffering to the glory that is to come. God promises to create a new heaven and a new earth. God isn't just recreating us and other people, but is making everything new.

Sin creates a break between us and one another. Life becomes marked by division and hostility. But God promises to reconcile all people into one new humanity and, with a new covenant, to create peace.

Sin creates a break between us and ourselves. One of the most insidious lies of sin is the idea that when we rebel from laws and rules, we “find ourselves.” The reality is that when we run from God, we run from who we truly are. God promises that with faith in Jesus, we will be made whole.

Sin creates a break between us and God. While we think we get what we deserve and doubt things can get better, God promises to replace our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh. God doesn't just want to make us feel better. He wants to renew our thoughts, actions and will - our entire lives.

In biblical culture, birth was very public. The entire town knew about it. It was social, messy, painful and noble. All of these ideas apply when Jesus uses birth as a metaphor for spiritual renewal. With faith in Christ, we are made new by the breath of God’s Holy Spirit.

Did you ever wonder why Jesus did the things he did? Why exactly twelve disciples in his inner circle? Matthew’s story of the Magi and the aftermath can help us to understand Jesus in ways we have not before.

The new year brings new resolve to do more and be better. This impulse is good. God wants to do a new thing in us. But the catch is, we cannot find new life by trying to be better, but only through faith in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit that renews us.

Jesus’ title - “The Son of Man” - isn’t just a name for his humanity. It’s a name for God taking on flesh, heaven come to earth. It is because God became down for our sake that we fall to our knees in worship.

In ancient times, people looked into the heavens for authority. The Magi were astrologers. They interpreted the stars. But in Jesus, the Magi found more than a star chart; they discovered Authority. In the Christ child is the very nature of the Most High God, the Creator of time and space.

This Thanksgiving, we gather together with family and friends. The table is vital to the family of faith. Everywhere you read in the gospels, Jesus is eating with people. That’s because the kingdom of God isn’t a geographical location, but a set of relationships where Jesus is sovereign. We gather around the table to express gratitude for our many blessings.