Luke 20

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

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.

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.

How is being a mom like being a yo-you? Motherhood brings with it the laughter and the tears of loving children.

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.

When was your last pause to reflect, rest, and renew? Rick Brown gives some statistical data on Christmas shopping, historical data on the birth of Jesus, and some spiritual insight on how to keep from going under during the busy time we call Christmas.

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.

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.

I wonder what it was like when the angel learned he would bring the news? Whether Christmas comes on December 25 or not doesn't really matter, what does matter is that Jesus came and the angels declared it and that we celebrate it with great joy.

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

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.

What are your favorite memories of Thanksgiving and Christmas? Holidays are a time for remembering family events and remembering what God did for us by sending His Son.

We sometimes forget that Jesus' birth, so wrapped in sentimentality at Christmas, was a real event when the Immortal God chose to wrap himself in the fragile face of a newborn child. Phil Ware continues his Christmas series, entitled "Give Me Jesus", focusing this week on the specific time, the then, of Jesus' coming.

If we listen, it is not so silent a night at Christmas! Rick Brown writes about LSTN headphones, hearing, Starkey hearing foundation, 400 years of silence after the Old Testament, years, silence, quiet, need, hear, hearing, listening, listen, Immanuel.

Christmas, like the coming of Jesus, is about waiting! Phil Ware begins a five-part series on Jesus at Christmas. This week is focused on waiting for Jesus to come.

They're sure hard to find, but when you do... Phil Ware reminds us of Anna and Simeon, two aging super heroes from the birth stories of Jesus reminding us that getting older can mean getting better.

Church is supposed to be simpler than it is. We have made church much more complex than the story of Jesus. He brought a simple, real life plan to earth to save us.

It's not Thanksgiving, but not yet Christmas In the midst of the Christmas frenzy time, we need to remember the reason for the season. Thank God for Jesus

Where does Jesus fit into all the make believe? Rubel Shelly helps clarify that Jesus is a historical figure and real, not something imaginary like the Easter Bunny, tooth fairy, and Santa Claus.

Greatness and grace reveal themelves in a world so real we can smell the manure and hear the breathing sounds of the Son of God. Phil Ware reminds us of the discontinuity, the absolute collision, of the grime of our world and the glory of God in the birth of Jesus.

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.

Don't let anyone rob you of your peace this season! Tom Norvell reminds us to not let anyone steal the peace we have in Jesus or in the season and offers some insights on keeping our peace.

Uh? Christmas is about easter? Tis the season! Rubel Shelly puts Christmas into perspective by talking about Easter and the resurrection hope of the Savior.

How could we have this completely wrong? Phil Ware concludes his end of the year series called Beginning in Endings by talking about Anna and Simeon from Luke 2 and what they should teach us about aging and what to expect as we grow older.

Have you taken all the excitement out of Christmas? We have taken the joy, glory, risk, holiness, excitment out of Christmas and made it predictable and boring.

Of all the people to announce the coming of heaven's glory, why did God choose this bunch? Phil Ware looks at the birth of Jesus and asks the very simple question: why did God reveal the birth of his Son to shepherds first?

Can we hope for the prophet's vision coming true? Some of the prophets dreamed big dreams that only later people would get to see.

So what is there to fear on the eve a brand new year? When you least expect it, don't be afraid, God is revealing a new plan for your life.

What's a mom supposed to do with wet cement? Phil Ware continues his series on Mary the mother of Jesus called window to wonder and talks about Mary forming Jesus.

What's a mom supposed to do with wet cement? Phil Ware writes about Mary as the mother of Jesus and reminds that Jesus, along with every other child, was 'wet cement' given by God to form into the person the Father wants them to be.

God's long story of grace intersected the mess of our world, and the rest of this story is our good news of great joy. James Nored on video and Phil Ware with words remind us that the circumstances of the moment can be swallowed up in the greater joy of God's long story of grace that came to us in Jesus of Nazareth.

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.

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

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.

Hold on to your Christmas hat, because you've received the same invitation as the shepherds! Rick Brown reminds us that we can tell the story of Jesus' birth just as well as the shepherds did!

How did Mary handle the transition of Jesus from her little boy to her Lord? Phil Ware continues his series on Mary the mother of Jesus called Window to Wonder talking about the transition of Jesus from Mary's little boy to her Lord.

Have you found the source of peace for every season? Tom Norvell describes Jesus as the only source of peace in any season.

Come on! The New Year is coming, don't we need to move on and get ready for it! Phil Ware and James Nored introduce Heartlight.org readers to the grit of grace and the coming video series called, "My Story in God's Story."

It's Been up There a long, long Time! Phil Ware writes about the Christmas star that actually began to shine many years before the Magi found it!

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.

The enduring legacy we want to leave at Christmas is our lasting trust in God to deliver us from darkness and to lead us into the grace of his goodness by being present with us in Jesus! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to call us to recognize God's great love that led Jesus to come to earth and live as one of us to save us and show us how to live.

It is hard to believe at Christmas, but there are those who do not love baby Jesus. Baby Jesus seems so sweet and lovable, but there are those that do not love him. And sometimes that even includes some of us.

Where have you declared King's X with Jesus? Phil Ware takes us back to Colossians 3 and challenges us to take a close look at the places where we do not allow Jesus to be Lord of our lives.

How would it feel to say know to Jesus? Larry Davies puts us in the place of the inn keeper who had no room in his inn for Joseph and Mary.

How could it happen like this? Bill Sherrill reminds us that the manger and the promises given to Mary would make the Cross seem impossible to understand until the empty tomb and the resurrection brought back the praise the angels gave on the day he was born.

How are you doing on life's see-saw? We need to be balance in our lives -- physically, spiritually, and relationally.

God came to us in a way that all of us could find him, know him, and find our way home! This is part of a 4 part series on Jesus' birth called, "Give Me Jesus," and this one focuses on finding him now.

Christians have a different perspective on many things... including Christmas. Christmas is very difficult for many people. Is it really possible to find joy, peace, hope, and love this year.

Have you settled on simply staying put? We need to evaluate how we are growing and have a plan to continue to grow.

A different, staccato take on the whole event! Danny Sims gives us a staccato version of the birth of Jesus and the following narratives about His first trip to the Temple.

Do you like to keep Jesus in the manger? Sort of a Jesus lite. Don't Jesus did not stay a baby. He grew up and died on a cross for you. Do not leave him in the manger.

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.

What's going on here with our traditions? Rubel Shelly reminds us of what is most important and truthful and what is legend about the Christmas story.

There is yet hope So while the world around us tilts ever closer to self-destruction, and the choices being made offer harsh contradictions of almost horrible conclusions, our focus must be on God and His Son.

Does it ever feel like that we've reduced Christianity down to something less than Jesus wants us to experience? Phil Ware challenges our settled notions about church in the box and wants us to realize that Jesus has so much more in store for us if we will make the moves necessary to experience Jesus and his story for ourselves.

Despite all the mess and the complications, God came to live among us being born in a place where animals fed. Max Lucado reminds that Jesus, the Son of God, the Christ and Messiah, came to us in a manger in Bethlehem.

The Holy Spirit gives birth to Lord in the heart of each new Christian and longs to bring that new follower of Christ to full maturity in Jesus. Phil Ware challenges us to enter the mystery of the conception and birth of Jesus the Messiah with Mary and find ourselves caught up in the story of Jesus with her.

Doesn't feel as if something is lacking in all the mess? Tom Norvell talks about a pre-Christmas trip to the place of insanity, the mall, and questions if they are missing something in the season.

What's it all about anyway? Most folks don't have a clue about the meaning of Christmas.

The Holy Spirit gives birth to Lord in the heart of each new Christian and longs to bring that new follower of Christ to full maturity in Jesus. Phil Ware challenges us to enter the mystery of the conception and birth of Jesus the Messiah with Mary and find ourselves caught up in the story of Jesus with her.

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.

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.

It's not the road you think, but it's the destination you seek! Phil Ware goes over a number of inaccuracies that have crept in to our telling of the story of Jesus at Christmas, but reminds us that the main thing is that Jesus came for everyone and the more we know the story, the more we know it is true.

The real message of Christmas is not baby Jesus. The Christmas message is not just that God's Son was born. It is that the baby grew up to die and save us from our sins.

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

Christmas is a reflection of my life as a Christian. The things that make Christmas so special are available to the Christian all year long.

What child have you touched with Jesus' grace lately? Children are a blessing, a gift, and a responsibility: how we treat the least and most insignificant says a lot of how we would treat Jesus.

Do you have a long face? Bill Sherrill reminds us that the Christian life should be a life of joy.

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.

Why do we fuss and fight over such a wonderful time? Christmas has unfortunately gotten so caught up in conflict that we lose sight of loving folks the way Jesus came to do.

Despite all the challenges, Mary and Joseph accepted their part in salvation's plan and their faith brought us God's gift of love, his beloved Son, Jesus! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to call us to recognize God's great love in sending Jesus, the joy Jesus' birth brings, and the truth that Jesus is with us and for us in this

Are we really willing to make Jesus the center of our life. Phil Ware reminds us that Jesus is the center of everything, our salvation, our time, our hope, but will we make Jesus the center of our lives?