“‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’).” (Matthew 1:23, NIV) John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, was a tireless servant of God. During his world-changing ministry in England, he planted churches, established orphanages, opposed slavery, authored books, and trained […]

“The LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. . . . to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and . . . to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor . . . and everlasting joy will be yours.”  (Isaiah 61:1–2, 7, NIV, emphasis added) News headlines

“Today your Savior is born . . .” (Luke 2:11, NET) The gathered armies stood at attention, silent as the night. Waiting. Unseen. Their commander moved into position, listening for the signal. Breathless, they stood, poised to do their duty. Their king had gone on ahead of them. Many men had tried to change the

“‘As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, seemingly insignificant among the clans of Judah—from you a king will emerge who will rule over Israel on my behalf, one whose origins are in the distant past.’” (Micah 5:2, NET) His parents labored through poverty, drifting through small towns. After graduating from West Point, the Army twice denied his

“The angel answered [Mary, saying], ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.’” (Luke 1:35, NIV) Back in the beautiful orchard on a Friday afternoon, God made male and female in His image.

“[He] emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. . . . He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name.”

So why did God send His Son into the world? The short answer is to bless it, to bring forgiveness of sin. But then what is that forgiveness for? It is about more than merely removing the stain of sin. Jesus came to reconnect us permanently to the living God. The very first evangelistic speech

“The next day he [John the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29, ESV) When I think of Jesus being born in a manger in the little town of Bethlehem, my imaginary scene usually has a couple of lambs

“For my eyes have seen Your salvation. You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples—a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to Your people Israel.” (Luke 2:30–32, HCSB) Operation Mufambashiva in Zimbabwe was the clearing of illegal structures, thieves, vendors, and orphans from the public land in the city of Harare.

“Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! For He has done marvelous things; . . . The LORD has made known His salvation; . . . Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; . . . Shout joyfully before the LORD, the King.” (Psalm 98:1–6, NKJV) An unknown prophet and poet wrote the