All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus. His Word creates reality. We need Jesus to be the authority. Left to ourselves and our sinful desire, we end up helplessly possessed and imprisoned by our own self-truths and self-created realities. Jesus, the Truth, came to set us free.

Fishers of men, Jonah's anger, fish puns, and the good news that our God is gracious and merciful to really bad people—it's all in this sermon. Have a listen!

Can anything good come from this? Jesus invites us to come and see!

In the beginning, the Word of God entered the chaos of a formless earth to bring forth life. The Word of God, Jesus, entered the chaos of our sin and brings forth new life. In baptism, the Word of God is spoken to us and we are made brand new creations. Because of Jesus, we are dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus!

Simeon held God's salvation—the promised Savior—in his hands and was at peace knowing that God keeps His promises. We sing Simeon's words after we receive Communion because we too have held God's salvation in our hands. We taste and we see. And God dismisses us from His altar in peace according to His word. Peace comes from God keeping His promises. When God makes a promise, He keeps it!

This Christmas message is comprised of three meditations that were recorded at our 11pm service on Christmas Eve. They will play back-to-back. The three meditations are based on the following Scripture readings, respectively: Isaiah 9:2-7, Luke 2:1-20, and John 1:1-14. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

The future can be scary. We fear grabs our hearts, we tend to look back at the "good 'ol days" and pray that God would take us back. But God promises something better: Jesus came to make all things new. The best is yet to come!

Are you prepared for Christmas? When we think of getting ready for Christmas, we think about the things that we have to do to get ready. The decorations that need to be put up. The presents that still have to be bought. The big Costco trip. But God's definition of preparation is different. Preparation for Jesus is knowing your great need for what Jesus comes to give. So...are you prepared for Christmas?

Jesus knew exactly what was in store for Him as He entered Jerusalem. He knew that He would be crucified and suffer the punishment of the world's sin. He knew...and He still came. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus, "for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross." His joy is saving you. You are His joy. You are the reason for His Advent. Thanks be to God.

We live by faith and not by sight. And that's a really good thing. Jesus has done everything for us. What is there left to do but trust Him?