According to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, the birth of Jesus Christ was attended by many miracles: angelic visitations, prophetic dreams, the miraculous birth of John the Baptist, and the virginal conception of Christ himself. The first Christmas, then, … Continue reading Did Christmas Really Happen? Part 1
When the Christmas season begins, you can always count on at least one major media company to publish a story debunking the myths of Christmas. The effect, if not the intent, of such stories is to question the historical value … Continue reading Debunking Christmas Myths | Influence Podcast
Andy Williams sang that Christmas is “the most wonderful time of the year.” He was right, though for the wrong reasons. Now, don’t get me wrong! “Parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting, and caroling out in the snow” are great and everything, but they’re not what Christmas is ultimately about. In Episode 161 of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Joseph Castleberry about the real reason why Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year. We also debunk a few myths people believe about Christmas. Dr. Castleberry is president of Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, an ordained Assemblies of … Continue reading The Most Wonderful Time of the Year | Influence Podcast
Christmas doesn’t begin at my house until Thanksgiving is over. But once the turkey is digested, the tree goes up, Mariah Carey’s Christmas album gets played on endless loop (it’s that good!), and the countdown to December 25th begins. Literally. The kids have a chalkboard that says, “Santa comes to our house in _____ days.” (As of today, it’s 28 days, in case you’re wondering.) For my family, Christmas is a season, not just a day. Joseph Castleberry’s family and mine are evidently of like mind about the Christmas season. In his new book, 40 Days of Christmas, he provides … Continue reading 40 Days of Christmas | Book Review
Today’s Scripture reading: Luke 2:41–52 What did Jesus do when He was a boy? The Gospels provide little information about Jesus’ early years. Mark and John begin their Gospels with an adult Jesus. Matthew and Luke provide brief descriptions of … Continue reading Boy Jesus | Luke 2:41-52
Today’s Scripture reading: Luke 2:21–40 Several years ago, I was working at a church in Costa Mesa, California. For Pastor Appreciation Day, the church gave each staff member a generous gift card to a nearby restaurant. Two or three weeks … Continue reading The Hardest Part | Luke 2:21-40
Today’s Scripture reading: Luke 2:1–20 The Christmas story in Luke 2:1–20 teaches us five lessons. We looked at the lessons of sovereignty and humility yesterday. God rules over all creation, directing the course of history toward the fulfillment of … Continue reading Value, Worship, and Evangelism | Luke 2:1-20
Today’s Scripture reading: Luke 2:1–20. In Luke’s Gospel, the Christmas story begins on a throne and ends in a manger. As we read the unfolding of its plot, we learn valuable lessons about sovereignty, humility, value, worship and evangelism. … Continue reading Strength and Humility | Luke 2:1-20
Today’s Scripture reading: Luke 1:67–80. In this passage, Zechariah teaches us something important about Jesus Christ and something important about ourselves. Yesterday, we looked at what he teaches us about Christ. Today, we will look at what he teaches … Continue reading Through Us, Not Without Us | Luke 1:67-80
Today’s Scripture reading: Luke 1:67–80. Whether the songs are sacred or secular, Christmas is a singing season. In the Gospel of Luke, we read the original four Christmas songs: Mary’s “Magnficat” (1:46–56), Zechariah’s “Benedictus” (1:67–80), the angels’ “Gloria” (2:8–14), … Continue reading What Christ Redeems Us From and To | Luke 1:67-80
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