December 10, 2023 - Luke 2:4-5

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 The Bethlehemites

This Sunday I'll be preaching from Luke 2:4-5, the familiar passage about Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem where she gave birth to Jesus. As we enter the Advent season, my message focuses on the tragic irony that this small town was too preoccupied to notice the monumental miracle happening right in their midst. The locals were bustling about, profiting off the influx of visitors there to register for the census. Yet they completely missed the birth of the long-awaited Messiah.

In our consumer-driven December rush today, we can easily grow distracted just like the Bethlehemites. I want to challenge us not to gloss over the Advent themes of waiting, longing, and making room for Jesus. My prayer is that we'll set aside the extra busyness to reflect on the quiet yet powerful way Christ entered our world.

As you read Luke's account this week, consider these questions:

·        What things tend to crowd out your awareness of God's presence day-to-day?

·        How can you simplify to create more margins this season to focus on Jesus?

I look forward to exploring these ideas more on Sunday. May God meet each of you in profound ways this Advent as we yield our attention fully to our Savior's coming.

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