Luke 2:16-20

"[The shepherds who had been told by an angel about Jesus' birth] hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in....."

"[The shepherds] hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby [Jesus], who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word..."

Inspirational illustration of Luke 2:16-20 -- [The shepherds] hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby [Jesus], who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and a

"Dear Follower, I know you sometimes wonder what your life's purpose is and what My plan is for your future. I have spoken to you through the..."

The mystery, the wonder, the bewilderment, the delight, the fear, and the struggle as a new mom to God's Son were secreted in this hiding place of Mary's heart. Phil Ware reminds us that Mary treasured all the things about Jesus' birth in her heart and we can find our treasure with Jesus as he comes to us in the manger at Advent.

You can find Christmas in the most surprising of places! If we are willing, we can find Jesus in the most down to earth of places.

"The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel told them."

"Dear Child of God, If you were a shepherd in the time when I was born, you would never have expected anyone to be astonished at anything you could..."

"Dear Child of the Father, If you have had a loving, godly mother, then you have been profoundly blessed. No matter if you are rich or poor, famous or..."

"The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."

"We must not cease to wonder at the great marvels of our God. It would be very difficult to draw a line between holy wonder and real worship; for when...."

"There was an exercise, on the part of this blessed woman, of three powers of her being: her memory-she kept all these things; her affections-she kept...."

"What was the subject of their praise? They praised God for what they had heard-for the good tidings of great joy that a Saviour was born unto them...."

Advent is rooted in the work of God in history, through real people, to do the miraculous in the most human of things, through the birth of a child. Phil Ware reminds us to celebrate Advent and not simply settle for Christmas, especially in a hard year like this one.

Advent is rooted in the work of God in history, through real people, to do the miraculous in the most human of things, through the birth of a child. Phil Ware reminds us to celebrate Advent and not simply settle for Christmas, especially in a hard year like this one.

Come on and let's go! Let's find a fresh joy in going back to Bethlehem for the birth of our Lord!

"Dear Precious One, As you prepare to celebrate My birth, I want you to notice something about My mother and Joseph: They were alone in Bethlehem! ..."

Pause and let God speak hope rather than giving way to fear and panic. Max Lucado reminds us that the first Christmas was one big gigantic interruption in the life of unknown shepherds.

"Dear Disciple, I love the way My beloved disciple you know as John describes My coming to earth: "The Voice took on flesh and became human and chose...."

Christmas isn't over; it has only just begun if we recognize that it is our job, together, to be Jesus to the world! Phil Ware finishes his series on "Give Me Jesus" focusing on our role as his people to be his presence to the world.

Advent is the celebration of Jesus' coming to earth and bringing God's heavenly Kingdom shown in his ministry, lived by his people, and ultimately experienced at his return! Phil Ware shares Scriptures and James Nored shares an inspirational video regarding the blessings and significance of Advent, Jesus' coming to earth as God in human flesh as our Savior and Lord.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This is the Biblical account of Jesus' birth from Matthew 1 and Luke 2 from the NIV 11 version of the Holy Scriptures.

Is it too late to keep them from stealing away your wonder? Rick Brown writes about a rare snowfall in Houston and how the wonder of it all, then the reality and boredom of it all, parallel the sense of wonder we have with Jesus.

What happens when we give it all away? We give our heart away a little at a time to our children and grandchildren and when it is gone we go to Jesus.

How does something like this happen? Rubel Shelly tells a story about Tommy Luck and the baby that transformed a rough mining town and then reminds us Jesus did the same thing with the world.

What did it smell like at the manger? Phil Ware talks about the significance of shepherds being found at the manger of Jesus.

Where can you find history's greatest treasures? Phil Ware reflects on Mary treasuring the memories of Jesus' birth in her heart and finds reason not to sweat the small stuff, not miss the moments of grace in Christmas, and not lose the opportunity to lock away treasures in our own hearts this time of y

Christmas isn't over; it has only just begun if we recognize that it is our job, together, to be Jesus to the world! Phil Ware reminds us that Christmas isn't over, but now our role is to be Jesus' people, his presence, in our world.

With the birth of Jesus, we enter a gritty world that we know is our own. Phil Ware continues his series called When Spirit Becomes Flesh and he focuses on the grit and real world feel of the birth stories and also the joy that comes from Jesus' birth.

So what are you collecting? Ron Rose reminds us to collect stories about God's fingerpints.

The vast needs that spread wide before us? They are already in His hands. Melissa Troyer draws on her life of experiences with the vastness of our universe and her need and thanks God for always knowing and seeing and caring and planning for us.

What does this last glimpse of Mary teach us about Jesus and discipleship? Phil Ware finishes his series on the Windows to Wonder, on Mary the mother of Jesus, the Messiah, the Lord, and Savior, and reminds us that we can all be part of Jesus' forever family.