Christmas playlist: Simeon's song

Lk 2:22-28 Joseph and Mary go to the temple to sacrifice.  Lev 12:1-8 cleansing after giving birth. Simeon was just a man, and he was waiting for God's salvation, the Messiah.

Lk 2:28-35 Do I have a heart like Simeon's? One that is looking for Jesus - ready and waiting for him? One in which seeing Jesus would be the completion of my life? Phil 1:19-21, 2 Cor 5:1-8 Am I head over heels in love with Jesus? Am I walking by faith instead of by sight? Don't just be comfortable with life, live for Jesus alone.

Christmas Eve: The old old story (Sunrise)

Lk 2:1-17 The Christmas story.
It's a story that does not follow traditions: the census, the dangerous trip to Bethlehem, Mary's pregnancy, sleeping in a stable, the birth of Jesus that night, no clothes for the baby, put the baby in a food trough, angels coming to shepherds, lowly shepherds coming to see a King.
We develop traditions that embrace this story, we will draw near top God.

Christmas playlist: the Angels' song

Lk 2:1-14
- He came that we might have peace.
  - peace with God: a Savior for our sin. Jesus was the righteousness we could never attain, and paid our debt. Ro 5:1
  - peace with other people: Ro 12:17-21
  - peace within ourselves: Phil 4:6-7
- God has shown us favor. He has displayed His goodwill toward us over and over. 2 Pet 3:9, Jn 3:16
- God's glory is on full display. Ex 34:6-7, 2 Chron 7:1-3, Is 6:1-3, 1 Pet 1:10-12. The angels are in awe of the Savior, and our salvation. They thought that day was the most magnificent display of God's power they had ever seen.

Christmas Playlist: Zechariah's Song

Lk 1:67-80 Zechariah's song
Lk 1:5-25 Zechariah was chosen to burn incense, which was a one in a lifetime event. An angel appears to Zechariah, and told him that he and Elizabeth would have a son and he would be a prophet like Elijah to point people to Jesus.
Mal 4:4-6 A prophet like Elijah will come
Lk 1:57-66 the angel's prophecy comes true and Zechariah praises God.
-My timetable and God's timetable are two totally different things! This story happened 400 years after Malachi prophesied about it. I should be praying consistently, and never stop believing in God. 2 Pet 3:8-10
-God will turn your doubt and pain into joy and worship! Zechariah had unbelief, and God disciplined him by not allowing him to talk until John was named. God's discipline may not feel like his love, but it does come from his love for us. Heb 12:5-8; Prov 3:11-12
-This is His story, not my story! It's not about me, it's about God and Jesus' love and sacrifice. He wants me to be part of His story.

Jesus:He is Enough

Jesus is enough- it's not about a list of do's and don'ts. We deserve God's wrath because we followed the world, Satan, and our fleshly desires. Ro 3:23, 6:23
His love and sacrifice for us is all we need, and will never be based on our ability or what we do. Eph 2:1-10
Come to Jesus, and he is enough.
We are created to do good works for God. We should be living our lives everyday on mission to serve God and others.