With the reading of this Old Testament prophecy Jesus reveals here, what he hides in other places. He is, indeed, the Messiah, and all of the Scriptures are about him. Secondarily, the Bible is about the spiritual “poor”, “blind”, “imprisoned” and “oppressed”. In so far as you identify as one in spiritual need, the Bible is about you, too. In Jesus, those in need have One who make others spiritually “rich”, gives “sight”,  “liberates” and takes off our “burdens”.

(Scripture Reading: Luke 4:16-30

(Scripture Reading John 2:1-12)

God’s intention for the Church is to be a unified group of diverse people, a countercultural love for the common good. However, the Church of Corinth is a lot more interested in “doing” and a lot less interested in “being.”  Which is a good reminder for all of us. As big and bold as the Storefront vision is, without God’s love informing our lives, we too, will be a “clanging cymbal” or a “noisy gong” to our city. Meaning, we’ll be noisy (big splash) but unwanted (hollow and abrasive) instruments in the world, unable to foster personal or communal transformation.

(Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 12:31; 13:1-13)

Due to the moral relativity of their lives, John the Baptist prepared “the way for the Lord '' by preparing the hearts of all men for judgement. His challenge to them? Live out a better narrative, namely, a narrative of repentance. Here is ancient wisdom for our modern age and the most unabashedly morally relevant culture in history

(Scripture Reading: Luke 3:1-22)

Here we see a passage where those in authority are humbled by Jesus, the true Authority. For children, parents and church leaders, we’re shown the power and promise of Jesus in his ability to exercise agency with authoritative power, insight. From his first days as a man, Jesus willingly humbles himself out of love. One lesson is how agency under authority produces spiritual growth. Another, how Jesus “was made perfect” in suffering through obedience.

(Scripture Reading: Luke 2:41-52)

Jesus changes longing into thanksgiving, anticipation into reality, and anxiety into joy. But it will come at a cost; his death will come by the hands of those whom he came to save.

(Scripture Reading: Luke 2:22-40)

Christ’s birth brings joy to the wise, turmoil to the powerful, and hope for all mankind. His birth asks each one of us, "what do you worship?" and presents himself as worthy of our worship.

(Scripture Reading: Matt 2:1-12)

12/19 | The message of Christmas? Joy has been revealed, and yet, it's not simply that God is our joy, but that it's his joy to meet us wherever there is misery.

(Scripture Reading: John 1:1-14)

Joseph, the earthly Father of Jesus, faces two dilemmas. The first, is the impossible circumstances he now finds himself in. The other? Himself. Joseph is a “just man" but is he just (and loving) enough? It often takes a dilemma to find out.

Scripture Reading: (Matthew 1:18:25)

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, "Celebrating Advent, means we're able to wait." Christmas means that we're able to do so with Hope.

(Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16)