Don’t you love the feeling of Christmas?

Cheer, wonder, excitement, generosity.

This year, our whole church, will be taking a journey through the feelings of the First Christmas through the Eyes of those who were there.  Our children will be having their own special experience at LifeKids, in Professor Playtime’s Christmas Shop of Wonders.

Listen to That Christmas Feeling | Expecting Comfort & Freedom
December 8, 2013 | Pastor Brad Murphy
Luke 2:21-35, John 14-15, Matthew 23:37

Expecting Comfort and Freedom

Christmas is a time of expectation.

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St. Nickolas soon would be there.
-Clement Clarke Moore, Twas the Night Before Christmas

 

Some look forward to the giving of gifts.  Others long for that moment when the whole family gathers around the table for diner.  Still others agonize that it the first Christmas without a loved one.

As we continue the series, That Christmas Feeling, we look at the expectation of Simeon and Anna.  Two often overlooked characters at the the first Christmas.  These two were used by God to confirm and testify to the deity of the Christ.  The Apostle Luke recorded their eye witness accounts:

This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.
Luke 2:34-35

Through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, the thoughts of hearts are revealed.

This Christmas, will you be one who falls away, or will you be lifted up through the encouragement to Expect Comfort and Freedom?