​No nativity set is complete without the three wise men presenting their gifts to the newborn Savior. While folklore often represents the presence of three men of royalty at the manger, the Bible’s account of the gift bearers offers a distinct perspective and a valuable insight into how we can pursue Christ this Christmas.

​How wonderful that God chose the lowest of the low to see the most important birth of all time. Because of their humble origins, the shepherds cannot help but rejoice and tell everyone they see about the birth of the Messiah. If God had chosen a king or a religious leader, the situation would have played out very differently. Instead, he picks a group of shepherds who set the tone for Jesus’ life and ministry.

​Christmas! As hectic as it has become, we enjoy the inevitability of the season that punctuates each passing year. It brings back those old favorite songs for another encore. We visit extended families and enjoy parties with our friends. A sour world keeps roaring into an uncertain future, Christmas is a kind of security blanket that connects us to the past.

​How do you start your day? Do you get up and turn the TV on? Do you turn on the radio because you like to hear Doobie Brothers? But have you thought there is a better way to start your morning?

​I have a question to ask. What would cause a person to leave the comforts of a Kingdom to go to a place where everything has been destroyed? Walls, buildings, gates, and nothing to work with to rebuild the city back?

​SUCCESS is defined as the achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted, and it is usually understood that the achievement is something good.

​Have you ever worked on a project that seemed to take forever? It was an important project, but you grew weary of doing sections, adding to it, or taking away from it. I have so many times. But Nehemiah is a role model for us when we are trying to do what God has called us to do. Just remember it is always something!

​Has anyone ever openly challenged your faith? Or do you sometimes feel repressed speaking up for your beliefs? Contrary to what we may expect, Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:10 say, “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”