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In a world that seems to thrive on division, judgment, and even hate, we become overwhelmed.  Demonization, weaponization, and tribalism seem to rule the day.  We are all in need of the gift bigger than all this - grace.  Grace is the thing we all so desperately need and want, yet it is so difficult to give it.  Grace is the gift we do not deserve and comes from God.  Seeing ourselves and each other through the lens of God’s grace counters our culture and removes the walls that divide.  We are each sinners in desperate need of God’s grace.  Grace is something bigger than. Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-9 Other Scriptures:  2 Corinthians 12:8-10; John 1:16  

In a world that seems to thrive on division, judgment, and even hate, we become overwhelmed.  Demonization, weaponization, and tribalism seem to rule the day.  We are all in need of the gift bigger than all this - grace.  Grace is the thing we all so desperately need and want, yet it is so difficult to give it.  Grace is the gift we do not deserve and comes from God.  Seeing ourselves and each other through the lens of God’s grace counters our culture and removes the walls that divide.  We are each sinners in desperate need of God’s grace.  Grace is something bigger than. Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-9 Other Scriptures:  2 Corinthians 12:8-10; John 1:16  

There are times within our lives when our purpose is undeniable and success is attainable.  There are other times when our purpose seems fleeting at best.  Jesus shows us that our purpose is in something bigger than ourselves, serving others.  No matter our age or stage in life, serving others gives our lives purpose and meaning.  We are to do as Jesus has done.  God calls all to serve. There is a place for all to serve. There is a need for all to serve. Serving is bigger than.  Scripture - John 13:12-17

A persistent experience for many, across the generations, is loneliness, even being lonely in the midst of crowds.  We long to belong, to have connection.  We are created for connection to God and others.  The church is Jesus’ idea, formed in the early days of Christianity as a means to glorify God and share the good news of Jesus Christ.  Within this mission and structure, connection to God and others occurs.  Through being part of something bigger than ourselves, the church, the assembly of those seeking and following, not simply an institution, we find the connection to God and others.  Community is something bigger than. Scripture - Acts 2:42-47

A persistent experience for many, across the generations, is loneliness, even being lonely in the midst of crowds.  We long to belong, to have connection.  We are created for connection to God and others.  The church is Jesus’ idea, formed in the early days of Christianity as a means to glorify God and share the good news of Jesus Christ.  Within this mission and structure, connection to God and others occurs.  Through being part of something bigger than ourselves, the church, the assembly of those seeking and following, not simply an institution, we find the connection to God and others.  Community is something bigger than. Scripture - Acts 2:42-47

Doubt is that looming feeling of uncertainty, where we question the realness of others, life, and God.  Hope is future-focused related to our expectations, while faith is our present beliefs and reliance and trust in.  We experience doubt about God, the church, the government, relationships, and even ourselves.  Our dependence and trust are in ourselves, because we wonder who or what can be trusted. Faith is the antidote, the unseen belief in something bigger than us and this world.  Belief in a God who came to be with us.  The exclamation of “help me overcome my unbelief” applies to us today.  Our focus becomes trusting the Lord and not leaning on our own understanding.  Faith is something bigger than. Scripture - Mark 9:21-24, Proverbs 3:5

Doubt is that looming feeling of uncertainty, where we question the realness of others, life, and God.  Hope is future-focused related to our expectations, while faith is our present beliefs and reliance and trust in.  We experience doubt about God, the church, the government, relationships, and even ourselves.  Our dependence and trust are in ourselves, because we wonder who or what can be trusted. Faith is the antidote, the unseen belief in something bigger than us and this world.  Belief in a God who came to be with us.  The exclamation of “help me overcome my unbelief” applies to us today.  Our focus becomes trusting the Lord and not leaning on our own understanding.  Faith is something bigger than. Scripture - Mark 9:21-24, Proverbs 3:5

Examples exist around us of hopelessness, broadly in the despair of our world and specifically within our own lives.  We begin to lose hope.  Hope is the expectation of what is possible in the future.  We reflect on the past year, or years, identifying the highs and lows, the joy and grief, and the moments of hope and hopelessness.  The Psalms provide examples of hopelessness, despair, disappointment, and of where we find our hope.  Our hope is in God.  Our hope is in the steadfast love of God.  God is the hope of something bigger.  Within the words of the book of Romans, we are reminded that nothing separates us from the love of God.  Hope is something bigger than.  Scripture - Psalms 33:20-22; Romans 8:24-27, 35-39

Examples exist around us of hopelessness, broadly in the despair of our world and specifically within our own lives.  We begin to lose hope.  Hope is the expectation of what is possible in the future.  We reflect on the past year, or years, identifying the highs and lows, the joy and grief, and the moments of hope and hopelessness.  The Psalms provide examples of hopelessness, despair, disappointment, and of where we find our hope.  Our hope is in God.  Our hope is in the steadfast love of God.  God is the hope of something bigger.  Within the words of the book of Romans, we are reminded that nothing separates us from the love of God.  Hope is something bigger than.  Scripture - Psalms 33:20-22; Romans 8:24-27, 35-39

Even in his early years, those who encountered Jesus sensed that they were in presence of a power unlike anything they had experienced before. When we encounter Jesus today, we too must choose how we will respond to His power and wisdom. Scripture - Luke 2:21-52

The birth of Christ was both a local and cosmic event. Jesus was born to specific family from a specific culture in a specific place to change the world through a singularly influential life. He was also the Almighty God who had come back to redeem His creation. Scripture - Luke 2:1-7, John 1:1-5,14-18

The birth of Christ was both a local and cosmic event. Jesus was born to specific family from a specific culture in a specific place to change the world through a singularly influential life. He was also the Almighty God who had come back to redeem His creation. Scripture - Luke 2:1-7, John 1:1-5,14-18

The shepherds proclaimed the good news told to them by the angels—that Jesus would be their Savior, even though He was only an infant. Mary treasured their words in her heart to guide her in the future. When Scrooge sees Christmas future, he witnesses grief for the Cratchit family and his own lonely death if he doesn’t change his ways. Thankfully, Scrooge changes his ways, and his future turns out far better than he could have ever imagined. When we choose to follow Christ, we open ourselves to the blessings of the future God has in store for us rather than the devastation of a selfish life spent living for our own momentary pleasure. Scripture - Luke 2:8–20

The shepherds proclaimed the good news told to them by the angels—that Jesus would be their Savior, even though He was only an infant. Mary treasured their words in her heart to guide her in the future. When Scrooge sees Christmas future, he witnesses grief for the Cratchit family and his own lonely death if he doesn’t change his ways. Thankfully, Scrooge changes his ways, and his future turns out far better than he could have ever imagined. When we choose to follow Christ, we open ourselves to the blessings of the future God has in store for us rather than the devastation of a selfish life spent living for our own momentary pleasure. Scripture - Luke 2:8–20

With his engagement and plan for his life quickly collapsing due to Mary’s pregnancy—which he interpreted as infidelity—Joseph hears from God that Mary’s pregnancy is not the end of his family but the beginning of a new work of God to invite all of humanity into His family. When Scrooge views Christmas present, he sees the Cratchit family's struggles with poverty and the joy they experience in the midst of those struggles thanks to their faith. In our lives, we can choose to ruminate on our struggles (which often is a path straight to depression and despair) or we can find strength and joy in the midst of our struggles through faith. Scripture - Matthew 1:18–25