LET US ADORE HIM Matthew 2:1-12
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As we gather for Christmas Eve, we turn our hearts to Bethlehem. The story of the Wise Men in search of the child-born King of the Jews has captured our imaginations and fostered many sermons. We know little about these men who travel a long distance following a star, hoping to pay homage to this king. What we do know is that they are tenacious in their search. We find that their journey stirs the entire city of Jerusalem, spurning jealousy in the reigning king and intrigue from his scribes.
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In our series Let Us Adore Him, we are researching the story of the incarnation and how individuals respond to the news of Jesus’ birth. The Wise Men are shown to be tenacious and diligent in their search. King Herod reveals the darkness of his heart by responding to the message of a king’s birth by trying to eliminate that king. The scribes may have the oddest responses in that they don’t respond at all. The scribes delivered the scriptural text confirming where the king was to be born but couldn’t be bothered to go 5 miles to Bethlehem to confirm the scripture. Ultimately, the greatest response is found when the Wise Men discover Jesus and Mary and pay him homage by delivering gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
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To close our series, we must consider our response to Jesus. This story reveals the real-life outflow that occurs when people are confronted with the news of Jesus. What is left for us is to respond. Hopefully, our response will not be fear, anger, or insecurity but rather obedience, adoration, and hope. We end our Christmas Eve service by lighting candles and singing Silent Night. When the song ends, we lift the candles high and hold them in silence. Our prayer this year is that as we lift our candles high, it will be an affirmation of the hope that we hold in our hearts not just for ourselves but for all the world to see.

LET US ADORE HIM Matthew 2:1-12
As we gather for Christmas Eve, we turn our hearts to Bethlehem. The story of the Wise Men in search of the child-born King of the Jews has captured our imaginations and fostered many sermons. We know little about these men who travel a long distance following a star, hoping to pay homage to this king. What we do know is that they are tenacious in their search. We find that their journey stirs the entire city of Jerusalem, spurning jealousy in the reigning king and intrigue from his scribes.

In our series Let Us Adore Him, we are researching the story of the incarnation and how individuals respond to the news of Jesus’ birth. The Wise Men are shown to be tenacious and diligent in their search. King Herod reveals the darkness of his heart by responding to the message of a king’s birth by trying to eliminate that king. The scribes may have the oddest responses in that they don’t respond at all. The scribes delivered the scriptural text confirming where the king was to be born but couldn’t be bothered to go 5 miles to Bethlehem to confirm the scripture. Ultimately, the greatest response is found when the Wise Men discover Jesus and Mary and pay him homage by delivering gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

To close our series, we must consider our response to Jesus. This story reveals the real-life outflow that occurs when people are confronted with the news of Jesus. What is left for us is to respond. Hopefully, our response will not be fear, anger, or insecurity but rather obedience, adoration, and hope. We end our Christmas Eve service by lighting candles and singing Silent Night. When the song ends, we lift the candles high and hold them in silence. Our prayer this year is that as we lift our candles high, it will be an affirmation of the hope that we hold in our hearts not just for ourselves but for all the world to see.

Luke 2:1-20
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The Christmas story has been shared for almost 2000 years. The sacrifice of Mary and Joseph, the birth of Jesus, and the bad decision-making of an innkeeper all work together to bring us the greatest birth narrative ever told. This week, in our focus on the Christmas story, one would imagine that if the Son of God was entering the world, great care would be taken to prepare a place for his birth. One would also assume that the whole world would be on point, waiting to receive this child. Neither of these two things happened. With no fanfare or great celebration, Jesus was born.
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In our time, we will explore the ancient registration that took Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and consider the role of shepherds in this incarnation story. The events of this night changed the world forever, and studying the people engaged in its unfolding will help us discern our own connection to the greater story.

LET US ADORE HIM
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Week 2: Luke 1:26-56
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In week two of our series, we focus on Mary and Elizabeth. These two ladies couldn’t have been in more different life scenarios. Elizabeth was older, with life winding down. Mary was young and engaged to be married. Both are pregnant with God at work in their stories. Mary is pregnant by the Holy Spirit and carrying the Son of God, while Elizabeth is expecting the one prophesied to be the front runner for Jesus to prepare the way. The responses of these two women shape the biblical narrative in great ways, becoming icons of the faith in how they willingly allow God to use their lives to change the world.
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Our study considers what our response might have been to this type of announcement. Would we be willing to sacrifice to the degree of Mary and Elizabeth? Would our faith withstand an untimely pregnancy or even the visit of an angel? Join us as we learn about the sacrifice of these amazing women.

Matthew 1:18-25
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In week one, we are confronted with the life of a simple carpenter who finds himself in an impossible situation. The Biblical text considers Joseph a righteous man, with his life burgeoning and the hope of marriage and family. The sudden announcement of an unplanned pregnancy flips Joseph’s plans upside down. Later, clarification comes to Joseph in the form of a divinely inspired dream, suddenly making Joseph’s impossible situation an opportunity for obedience.
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It is hard to believe that a deviation in plans to this degree might lead one to a place of worship or adoration. Joseph was caught off guard by this scenario in that a dream would be required to connect him to the greater purpose of this moment. One has to wonder if Matthew’s intention in sharing Joseph's dream might be an intentional nod to Joseph, the dreamer found in the Old Testament text. Both would play a significant role in the greater life of faith.
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Does God still confront us with unexpected opportunities to be obedient? Might we have responded in the same way as Joseph? Join us as we consider Joseph’s response to the Incarnation of Jesus