Christmas

The New Testament's Use of the Old Testament: The Birth of Christ

Jeffrey Stivason
Dec 24, 2015
Have you ever wondered why Matthew quotes Isaiah in the opening chapter of his Gospel? [1] Perhaps you would say, "Of course not! We already know why. The quote substantiates the virgin conception and birth of Christ!" Yes, but is that the only reason? Again, you may claim, "Isn't that reason...

The Holy Spirit of Christmas

Mark Johnston
Dec 22, 2015
In the midst of all the sermon and service preparations associated with the Christmas season we often fail to appreciate the role of the Holy Spirit in the events celebrated. While we are right to focus on the wonder of the eternal Son taking human flesh and entering our world, we can overlook the...

The End of Christmas

Scott Oliphint
Dec 15, 2015
One Christmas season our family went to see the "Christmas Spectacular" at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. It was an enjoyable show, in spite of all the secular trappings and symbols that have come to characterize Christmas. The most fascinating part of the program, however, comes at the...

The End of Christmas

Scott Oliphint
Dec 15, 2015
One Christmas season our family went to see the "Christmas Spectacular" at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. It was an enjoyable show, in spite of all the secular trappings and symbols that have come to characterize Christmas. The most fascinating part of the program, however, comes at the...

The Mystery of the Incarnation

Joseph Pipa
Dec 16, 2013
Many things in life fill us with wonder; our world is full of profound mysteries, but the greatest mystery of all is the mystery of the incarnation. One of the profoundest statements of this mystery is 1 Timothy 3:16: "And by common confession great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed...

Never Always Winter

Scott Oliphint
Dec 9, 2013
In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe , C. S. Lewis describes Narnia as a place where it is "always winter, but never Christmas." This is a perfect way to explain to a child (and to the rest of us) what cold despair and degradation look like. "Always winter"-- everything is frozen, dead, unable...

Never Always Winter

Scott Oliphint
Dec 9, 2013
In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe , C. S. Lewis describes Narnia as a place where it is "always winter, but never Christmas." This is a perfect way to explain to a child (and to the rest of us) what cold despair and degradation look like. "Always winter"-- everything is frozen, dead, unable...

The Word Became Flesh

Rick Phillips Articles
Dec 22, 2012
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory" (Jn. 1:14). Our Christmas celebrations are like Israel's exodus from Egypt. This great migration took on a beautiful splendor, as Israel was laden with the treasures of the Nile, just as our Advent season glitters in red and...

The Word Became Flesh

Rick Phillips Articles
Dec 22, 2012
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory" (Jn. 1:14). Our Christmas celebrations are like Israel's exodus from Egypt. This great migration took on a beautiful splendor, as Israel was laden with the treasures of the Nile, just as our Advent season glitters in red and...

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Shays
Dec 8, 2012
Every year, as the Christmas season approaches, some folks object to the celebration of Christmas due to its allegedly pagan roots. Some critics are Christians while others are cultists (i.e. Jehovah's Witnesses). Before proceeding any further, let's draw a few distinctions. The question at issue...