Written by Pastor Mark D. Williams Saturday, December 17th Read Luke 2:19 We have journeyed a good distance in nearly three full weeks to arrive with these shepherds at the manger. From the first news of the census, to packing up and departing for Bethlehem, to making the grueling 90 mile trip, to coming to […]
Day 21-Reflections on the Nativity Read More »
Written by Pastor Mark D. Williams Friday, December 16th Read Luke 2:17-18, 20 When my wife found out she was pregnant with our first child, she and I were so excited! We simply couldn’t wait to tell our friends and family. After keeping the secret to ourselves for a short while, we shared this big
Day 20-Sharing the Good News!! Read More »
Written by Pastor Mark D. Williams Thursday, December 15th Read Luke 2:15-16 As these shepherds slipped into Bethlehem searching for the new-born child wrapped in swaddling cloths, the few who were awake may have given sidelong glances in their direction. These shepherds rarely visited Bethlehem and when they did, it wasn’t usually in the middle
Day 19-Collective Wonder Read More »
Written by Pastor Mark D. Williams Wednesday, December 14th Read Matthew 2:11 Meanwhile…on the other side of the world, a group of astrologers called “Magi” were perplexed and excited about a new bright star that had recently appeared in the eastern night sky. For them, this new star was a sign that something important had
Written by Pastor Mark D. Williams Tuesday, December 13th Read Luke 2:15-16 Before we journey to the manger with the shepherds, we need to pause for a day to consider who these shepherds really were. While over the centuries, these men have been presented as humble, dirty, social outcasts, is it possible that they were
Day 17-An Unlikely Choice Read More »
Written by Pastor Mark D. Williams Monday, December 12th Read Luke 2:11-14 Once the shepherds were able to take a deep breath and get their bearings, they were able to concentrate on the message the angel was delivering to them here in the fields.Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to
Day 16-Some Good News!! Read More »
Written by Pastor Mark D. Williams Week 3-Joy The Shepherd’s Candle Today, we light the third Advent candle, the candle of Joy. This candle is also known as the “Shepherd’s Candle” and is meant to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, as well as the joy that
Day 15-The World Turns Upside Down Read More »
Written by Pastor Mark D. Williams Saturday, December 10th The account of Jesus being born in Bethlehem is told succinctly in just a few verses in Luke chapter 2, but the story leaves the reader with more questions than answers. Why would God choose to come to come when the mother he chose to give
Day 14-Reflections on Bethlehem Read More »
Written by Pastor Mark D. Williams Friday, December 9th Read Luke 2:9-15 Picture this: while Mary is crying out in pain giving birth to the baby Jesus, the angels are crowding around to get a front row seat to this world-changing event. The scriptures are clear that angels have a limited knowledge of the plans
Day 13-The Angels Get Their Turn Read More »
Written by Pastor Mark D. Williams Thursday, December 8th Read Luke 2:6-7 “Honey, it’s time!” These words have brought both fear and joy all at once for fathers since Adam and Eve and the birth of Cain and Abel. Joseph must have bolted upright from his bed of hay. The scripture provides no details of
Day 12-The Time Has Come Read More »
