For many people Christmas is about the gifts, the parties, the sweaters, and the holiday food. But what if Christmas is really about the birth of Jesus? Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches on Luke 2:1-20. Instead of focusing on the details like the location of Jesus’ birth, the name of Bethlehem, coming in the line of David, and all of the other details, he focused on something different. We will look at the “why” questions that we all ask: “Why was Jesus born in a stable?”, “Why was the message revealed to shepherds?” and “Why did the shepherds tell others?” 

The miraculous story of Jesus’ birth doesn’t end at the stable. That is where it all starts. After Jesus is born His parents now have the immense task of caring for Jesus. They need to protect Him from Herod, figure out where to live, and much more. The first angelic visits were just the beginning! An angel warns Joseph to take Jesus to Egypt and then gives details about when to return to Judea. Listen in as Blaze McEntee teaches from Matthew 2 and describes our need to find joy in worshipping the newborn king this year. 

What comes to mind when you heard the word obedience? For some people, the first thing that comes to mind is disobedience! This week, in Family Portraits, we are looking at Joseph. Joseph was the earthly father of Jesus. This shows how much God trusted Joseph to care for His only Son. God could have chosen any couple; any mother and father to rear Jesus, but He choose Joseph. The news that Mary was pregnant must have been devastating to Joseph, but he handles it extraordinarily well. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches on how God leads us best when we obey Him most from Matthew 1:18-25. 

Similar to the fun surprises that await during a White Elephant gift exchange, the Christmas Story in the Bible is full of surprises! Listen in as Pastor Doug Colby, from Ventura Missionary Church, shares with us all the unexpected people, events and details that are nothing like we would expect. These details are just one part of what makes the nativity of Jesus one of the most beautiful stories in all of human history.

Christmas is right around the corner! This Christmas we’re starting a brand new series looking at different people who would have been present in the early days of Jesus’ life on earth. We begin this series by looking at Mary, the mother of Jesus. Mary was a teenager when the angel Gabriel visited her. He gave her a four-fold angelic message that would serve a prophetic word about Jesus and His time on earth. At the conclusion of this meeting Mary offers a great line that she is surrendered to the plans of God. Oh, that we would follow in her example and surrender our life to God this Christmas. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches from Luke 1:26-38 on how God uses surrendered people for His greater picture.