Category: Uncategorized
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Gifts (Dec. 13, 2024)
Scripture: Matthew 2:11 Gifts To be a “gift” something must be offered without condition. If there are any strings attached it is not a gift, but a payment or a form of currency. Presents are exchanged all year in this country for a number of occasions, but especially at Christmas. The fact that they are…
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Herod (Dec. 12, 2024)
Scripture: Matthew 2:16-18 Herod Herod was mean, murderously mean. People who are mean are usually hurt (scarred) or afraid (scared). Power in any world or time is not an easy thing to hang on to because there are always those willing to take it away. History is full of examples of those in power doing…
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Gospel of Luke (Dec. 6, 2024)
Scripture: Luke 3:23-38 Gospel of Luke Luke is certainly the better known of the Christmas stories. Unlike Matthew, Luke is a gospel for the non-Jews. Unlike Mark, Luke pauses to frame Jesus’s ministry in a geographical and historical situation. Matthew and Luke are both carefully introduced, properly presented and include a genealogy. Whereas Matthew traces…
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Gospel of Mark (Dec 5, 2024)
Scripture: Mark 1:1-12 GOSPEL OF MARK I have never heard a Christmas sermon based on the Gospel of Mark. That’s probably because there is a noticeable lack of reference to Jesus’ birth in Mark. After a quote from Isaiah, Mark starts right in with an adult John the Baptist (Bulldozer). Verse four says,…
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Advent Devotions Preface
The word “advent” means “a coming from outside, a sudden breaking into.” It is the word we’ve been given for the weeks preceding Christmas. We aren’t sure when it first started but Advent is referenced as early as the 4th century. Traditionally, Advent was a season of penitence and preparation similar to Lent. Today we…
Wilmot First Presbyterian Church 