Among everything that God created, people are His most prized possession. When we affirm the value of one another, we align our hearts with the heart of God. Real connection to one another is an indispensable part of showing and receiving that value.

Our call as a people is simple, but not always easy. We are called to follow God. We must remain with the cloud, not ahead of it, or behind it. When we are moving with the move of God, we will see incredible things happen.

Simeon's song is a gift to us because it's the clear reminder that salvation is for all. His song is both an invitation and a proclamation.

The angel's famous words are unmistakable: It's really happened! God has come among us! Where the presence of the Savior is, there is an invitation into worship and peace.

Zechariah's song is a vivid reminder that God has sent Jesus among us, that He comes to save us, and that we, like John the Baptist, are called to prepare the way of the Lord in our own lives and within the world around us.

Mary "sings" the praise of our God, who is both merciful and mighty. In her song, we find a framework to understand the work of God, observe the power of God, and receive the grace of God. It is only in that receiving that we can truly offer grace to others.

Elizabeth's song, like each of the poems recorded by Luke prior to the birth of Jesus, is full of joy and hope. The fulfilled promise of the Messiah gives us joy in the present and hope for the future.

Even great revival will ultimately give way to compromise when God becomes a secondary aspect in our lives. Nehemiah provides us with a model for dealing with compromise in our lives, but his ultimate prayer provides a call for true revival—a revival of our hearts.

The church often has the unfortunate reputation for being a dour place where people take themselves far too seriously. Instead, we are called to be a people who take God very seriously—and because we do, we can rejoice and celebrate! Joy should be the hallmark of the believer.

The role of every Christian is to live on mission for Christ.