THE GREATEST GIFT

“But to all who received Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”   (John 1:12 NIV)

Every December, our eyes are drawn to the gifts wrapped in bright paper beneath the Christmas tree. They bring joy for a season, but eventually they fade, break, or are forgotten. Yet John reminds us of a gift that is eternal, priceless, and beyond anything this world can offer: the gift of becoming children of God.

This gift is not earned by effort or purchased with money -- it is received by faith. To believe in His name is to trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord, and in that trust we are adopted into God’s family. The greatest gift of Christmas is not found under a tree, but in the manger, where the Son of God came to dwell among us so that we might dwell with Him forever.

When we receive Christ, we receive identity, belonging, and hope. We are no longer defined by our failures or fears, but by the love of the Father who calls us His children. That is joy that cannot be stolen, peace that cannot be shaken, and love that cannot be measured.

Just as gifts are exchanged at Christmas, share the good news of Christ – the Greatest Gift -- with those who have yet to receive Him. 

-- SOUND BITES Ministry™   

#6272

SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.’”  (Luke 2:13–14 NIV)

On that first Christmas night, the world was hushed in holy wonder. In the stillness of Bethlehem, heaven broke into earth with the cry of a newborn child -- the Savior of the world. The beloved “Silent Night” captures this paradox: a quiet, ordinary setting transformed by the extraordinary presence of God.

The carol reminds us that peace is not found in noise or grandeur, but in the humble manger where Christ was laid. The silence of that night was filled with divine glory, as angels proclaimed peace and shepherds knelt in awe.

Christmas Eve invites us to pause in the midst of our busyness, to let the silence speak, and to hear again the message of hope: God is with us. In Christ, the holy breaks into the ordinary, and peace enters our restless hearts.

Take time tonight to quiet your heart and reflect on God’s presence. Let the Prince of Peace calm your anxieties and fill you with joy. Just as the shepherds spread the news, carry Christ’s peace into your family and community. 

-- SOUND BITES Ministry™

#6271

CHOOSING GRACE

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.”   (Titus 2:11)

Tony Evans wrote, "This Christmas, you have a decision to make. It’s not about toys or gifts or what you’re going to have under the tree. It’s a decision about God’s grace. What are you going to do with the goodness of God that He bestowed on you this past year, and that you look forward to in the year that is to come?"

Christmas is often wrapped in lights, gifts, and traditions. Yet Tony Evans reminds us that the true decision of Christmas is not about what sits under the tree, but what sits in our hearts.

God’s grace is the greatest gift we could ever receive. It is undeserved, unearned, and yet freely given through Jesus Christ. As you look back on this past year, consider the countless ways His goodness has carried you -- through trials, through joys, through ordinary days. And as you look ahead, ask yourself: What will I do with this grace?

Grace is not meant to be stored away like a keepsake. It is meant to be lived out, shared, and multiplied. When we choose grace, we choose forgiveness over bitterness, generosity over selfishness, and hope over despair.  

-- SOUND BITES Ministry™   

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THE LOVE AND SACRIFICE OF OUR SAVIOR

"[Jesus] made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death -- even death on a cross! Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name."  (Philippians 2:7-9 NIV)

In Charles Wesley’s hymn, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” we sing these words: "Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth; Born to give them second birth."

This Christmas season, we are reminded of the profound humility and sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. In Philippians 2:7-9, we see a glimpse of the extraordinary nature of His incarnation. Jesus, who was in very nature God, chose to lay aside His divine privileges and embrace the form of a servant. He entered our world in the most vulnerable way possible -- as a helpless baby.

Wesley’s Christmas carol beautifully encapsulates this divine mystery. "Mild He lays His glory by" reflects Jesus' willingness to set aside His heavenly majesty. He did not cling to His status but instead chose to be born among us, to walk our streets, and to experience our joys and sorrows. This act of humility was not just a fleeting moment but a lifelong commitment that culminated in the ultimate sacrifice -- His death on the cross.

"Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth; Born to give them second birth." These lines remind us of the purpose behind Jesus' incarnation. His birth was not an end in itself but the beginning of a redemptive mission. He came so that we might have life -- eternal life. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus conquered the grave and opened the way for us to be reconciled with God. He offers us a second birth, a spiritual rebirth, through which we are made new and become children of God (John 1:12).

As we reflect on these truths, let us remember the depth of God's love for us. Jesus' humility and obedience are a model for our own lives. In a world that often values power and status, we are called to follow the example of our Savior, embracing humility, and serving others. Let us also rejoice in the hope that Christmas brings -- the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

May this Christmas season be filled with joy and a deeper understanding of the love and sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

-- SOUND BITES Ministry™ 

#6269

LIGHT JUXTAPOSED WITH DARKNESS

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."  (John 1:5)

Katherine E. Willis Perchey, in her book “A Feast Juxtaposed,” writes, “We know full well that the work begun in the manger is not yet complete. Christmas is, for the time being, a feast of light juxtaposed with darkness. We brighten our sanctuary with candles, but the night persists beyond these walls. Though we wipe our tears away to join in the yuletide celebration, we are still a people who mourn.”

Christmas is often painted as a season of pure joy -- bright lights, cheerful songs, and warm gatherings. Yet Katherine Willis Perchey reminds us that the manger was not the end of the story, but the beginning. The Christ-child entered a world still marked by sorrow, injustice, and longing. The candles we light in our sanctuaries are symbols of hope, but they do not erase the night outside our doors.

This tension -- light juxtaposed with darkness -- is the very heart of Advent and Christmas. We celebrate the incarnation, God’s presence among us, while acknowledging that creation still groans. We rejoice, but we also mourn. We sing “Joy to the World,” even as tears linger on our cheeks.

The beauty of the gospel is that God does not demand we hide our grief to enter His joy. Instead, He meets us in the mourning. The manger is a promise that the darkness will not have the final word. The work begun in Bethlehem continues in us, through Christ’s Spirit, until the day when every tear is wiped away and night is no more.

When you light a candle this season, let it remind you that Christ’s light shines not in the absence of darkness, but in the midst of it. Allow space for both joy and sorrow in your celebrations. To mourn while rejoicing is not a contradiction -- it is faithful living in the “already but not yet” of God’s kingdom. Pray for those who feel the weight of grief during Christmas. Your presence and compassion can be a reflection of Christ’s light. 

-- SOUND BITES Ministry™

#6268

MARY’S SONG – Part 2 of 2

“From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me -- holy is His name. His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.”  (Luke 1:48b–50 NIV)

Second, Mary focused on the holiness of God by simply putting breath to four little words: “holy is His name” (v. 49b). For Mary to trust in an uncertain future, she had to look back at the certainty of a holy God. As Mary sang of the holiness of God, her song resonated with David’s song found in Psalm 111:9 that reads: “He provided redemption for His people; He ordained His covenant forever -- holy and awesome is His name.” Mary was looking back and remembering the unchanging nature of God. The God who was faithful and holy then, is still faithful and holy now.

Last, she sang of the mercy of God by declaring: “His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation” (v. 50). Again, perhaps Mary took a cue from the Psalms and made it her own. The psalmist David wrote:

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
      slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
      nor will He harbor His anger forever;
He does not treat us as our sins deserve
      or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
      so great is His love for those who fear Him;
as far as the east is from the west,
      so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
      so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him…” (103:8–13)

Whatever stressors you have in your life today, take some notes from Mary. Remind those stressors about the mightiness of God, the holiness of God, and the mercy of God. Then look forward to what God has in store. 

-- Excerpted from “Wake-Up Call” with Mark Sorensen 

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MARY’S SONG – Part 1 of 2

“From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me -- holy is His name. His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.”  (Luke 1:48b–50 NIV)

There is no doubt that the holidays certainly bring with it a fair amount of stress, but have you ever considered what that first Christmas season was like for Mary and Joseph?... Look at how Mary responded to all that was uncertain, beyond her control, and beyond her ability to correct the variables. She simply sang out the following words: “for the Mighty One has done great things for me -- holy is His name. His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation” (Luke 1:49–50). Amid the stress and weakness found in the uncertainty, Mary proclaimed three beautiful truths.

First, she remembered that “the Mighty One has done great things for me” (v. 49a). It’s clear because of Mary’s faith that she knew the Scriptures. I wonder, as Mary sang, did the songs found in the Psalms come to mind? Perhaps Psalm 89? The psalmist declares:

“I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;
    with my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known
    through all generations.
I will declare that Your love stands firm forever,
    that You have established Your faithfulness in heaven itself…
 Who is like You, Lord God Almighty?
You, Lord, are mighty, and Your faithfulness surrounds You.” (Psalm 89:1–2, 8) 

 -- Excerpted from “Wake-Up Call” with Mark Sorensen

#6266

JOY WILL REIGN

How is it possible to become a joyful person in a pain-filled world? Look at the promise that comes right near the very end of the Bible:

"Let us rejoice and exult
and give Him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and His bride has made herself ready." (Revelation 19:7)

Heaven's groom gets the bride.

The joy that is in store for God's people is so great that the only image that can do it justice is the joy between a lover and his beloved. Then we will see the wedding of which the greatest weddings on this earth have only been a dim foreshadowing.

Then God will dance with His people. Then joy will reign undiminished and uninterrupted.

-- John Ortberg in “The Life You've Always Wanted”

#6265

GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY

"But the angel said to the shepherds, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.’"   (Luke 2:10–11 NIV)

The Christmas carol “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” is more than a cheerful Christmas tune -- it is a proclamation of the Gospel. Its words echo the angel’s announcement to the shepherds: “Let nothing you dismay… Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day.”

The good news is that we can rest in God’s peace. The phrase “God rest ye merry” is not about sleep, but about being sustained in joy and strength. It’s a blessing of spiritual rest and courage. “Gentlemen, may God keep you in a state of merriment (joy, peace, well-being).”

The good news is that we can have freedom from fear. “Let nothing you dismay” reminds us that Christ’s coming removes the power of fear. The Savior’s birth is God’s assurance that He is with us.

The good news is that we can have victory over sin. “To save us all from Satan’s pow’r” points to the deeper meaning of Christmas -- Jesus came not only to comfort but to conquer sin and death.

The Gospel is good news that brings both peace to troubled hearts and joy to weary souls. Christmas is not just about giving, but receiving -- the gift of salvation through Christ. Receive the gift. Let the truth of Christ’s victory shape your outlook, even in seasons of difficulty.

Just as the angels proclaimed the good news, we are called to share comfort and joy with others.

-- SOUND BITES Ministry™, compiled from a variety of sources

#6264

THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF JOY

“While they were there, the time came for Mary to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped Him in a blanket and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel. There were shepherds camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.’”  (Luke 2:6-12 MSG)

Christmas is more than lights, gifts, and traditions -- it is the announcement of joy breaking into a weary world. The shepherds, ordinary men keeping watch in the dark, were the first to hear the angel’s proclamation of a “great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide.” This joy was not dependent on circumstances, wealth, or status. It was rooted in the arrival of Jesus, the Savior who came to bring peace, hope, and reconciliation.

Joy at Christmas is not fleeting happiness; it is the deep assurance that God has come near. In Christ, we discover that joy is not something we manufacture -- it is a gift we receive. Even in seasons of difficulty, the presence of Jesus brings a joy that sustains and strengthens. 

– Adapted from BibleStudyTools at Crosswalk.com

#6263

OUR PLACE IN CHRIST’S REIGN

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.   Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him."  (John 3:16-17 NRSV)

The "world" that Jesus came to save is represented in the birth stories by two groups of people who could hardly be more varied: shepherds from the nearby hillsides and wealthy sages from a foreign land. Farmworkers and well-connected intellectuals, one group from the neighborhood and one who traveled from a far country. No one is a foreigner at the manger; no one is excluded because of economic class. God wants a full table at the heavenly banquet and is willing to look for dinner guests in unexpected places (Luke 14:15-24). Our place in Christ's reign means that we are willing to sit next to someone who appears at first to be alien to us but turns out to be a citizen, a member with us of God's own household. Embraced by this communion of love, we realize our call to the life of the Spirit and we enjoy the fullness of life that comes with Christ's reign of justice, mercy and peace. 

-- Blair Gilmer Meeks in “Expecting the Unexpected”

#6262

LIVING A GOD-BEARING LIFE

“The angel went to Mary and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; His kingdom will never end.’ ‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’  The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.’… ‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’ Then the angel left her.”  (Luke 1:28-38 NIV)

God’s favor is not something we earn; it is something we receive as a gift that must always be shared.

Mary’s story challenges those of us who have received the gift of a relationship with Jesus to be God-bearers to the rest of the world, believing that God’s grace always comes to us on its way to someone else. We bear the Christ, we share God’s grace, and we change the world when we take on Mary’s attitude of service and surrender. We would do well to memorize and use her response as we move about in the world every day…

You have a thousand tasks to do today and no time to do them. You want to crawl back in bed and pull the covers over your head. Imagine what would happen, though, if you started every day by saying, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord.” Chances are you would see problems as opportunities for God’s grace to shine through…

Where do you need to say, “Here am I, a servant of the Lord”? How can you be a God-bearer to your family, your neighbors, your co-workers, and others? 

-- Excerpted and adapted from “Come to the Manger” by Robert Kaylor

#6261

GOOD NEWS FOR ALL

“When Jesus came to the village of Nazareth, His boyhood home, He went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for He has anointed Me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.’”  (Luke 4:16-19 NLT)

As we prepare for our traditional Christmas celebrations, let us remember those who will not be looking forward to this festival. Let us remember, too, how Jesus identified with the oppressed and the homeless. Let the joy of the season touch more of the people of our world this year than ever before. May God be glorified and may people of good will once again experience His peace. 

-- Denzil John

#6260

THE GIFT BEYOND THE SALE

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV)

The prophet Isaiah spoke of a Child who would carry the weight of the world on His shoulders, not through power or profit, but through love and sacrifice. This promise was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the true gift of Christmas.

Yet, commercialization has obscured the meaning of Christmas. The commercial has become more important than the carol. The sales pitch more important than the Good News. What man has to sell more important than what God has given.

Advent is a season of waiting, of preparing our hearts for the coming King. But in a world where advertisements drown out hymns and shopping lists overshadow Scripture, we must choose to refocus. The world offers temporary satisfaction wrapped in shiny paper, but God offers eternal peace wrapped in swaddling clothes.

Isaiah’s words remind us that the true wonder of Christmas is not found in what we buy, but in Who was given. Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor who guides us, the Mighty God who saves us, the Everlasting Father who loves us, and the Prince of Peace who calms our restless hearts.

-- SOUND BITES Ministry™, compiled from a variety of sources 

#6259

OUR SOURCE OF PEACE

"Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.'"  (Matthew 1:23 NLT)

The moment Mary touched God’s face is the moment God made His case: there is no place He will not go. If He is willing to be born in a barnyard, then expect Him to be at work anywhere -- bars, bedrooms, boardrooms, and brothels. No place is too common. No person is too hardened. No distance is too far. There is no person He cannot reach. There is no limit to His love. When Christ was born, so was our hope.

I think we need Christmas more than ever this year. We could use a season that is dedicated to giving, not receiving; to caring, not condemning. Put away our differences. Put up the Christmas tree. Take comfort in the familiar story and the ancient carols. Our world, like that of Bethlehem, is difficult and crowded. Our days can feel as cold and uncertain as that midnight manger. Yet, in the midst of it all, let’s do what Mary did. Let’s invite the source of peace to enter our world. Let’s find hope, once more, in the infant King.

God became one of us so we could become one with Him. That is the promise of Bethlehem. 

-- Max Lucado, adapted from an article entitled “Do We Really Need Christmas This Year?” 

#6258

RETURNING MY EYES TO THE SAVIOR

“Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for Him, He thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and He is now seated at the right side of God's throne.”  (Hebrews 12:2 GNT)

With the arrival of Advent, Christians everywhere turn again towards the Savior. Advent marks the beginning of the celebration of His birth and His long-foretold ministry, atonement, death, resurrection and second coming. If Advent is an occasion when I return my eyes to the Savior, then it is also an invitation to consider where my eyes -- and my heart -- have been in the meantime. Advent is the gentle nudge that invites me to remember that the truth most worth knowing is that Jesus Christ is the only way Home. It is also a gentle reminder that I ought to keep my eyes upon Him all year long.  

-- Jean-Michel Hansen

#6257

WORTH CELEBRATING EVERY DAY

Some Christians only go to church two days out of the year, at Christmas and Easter Sunday. In their defense, those are the two biggest days of the Christian year, celebrating the two biggest events in history.

Christmas, of course, is the day it was reported, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

And on Easter we remember that although that child, now a grown man, had been murdered by authorities two days earlier, on the third day those coming to mourn him were greeted by an empty tomb and asked, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5)

That sacrifice and resurrection were key to a rather joyful development, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

The one thing those twice-yearly visitors may not fully appreciate is that those two bookends of Jesus’ journey are worth celebrating every day, not just on those two specific days of celebration.

And so, Merry Christmas! Happy Easter! 

-- Warren Bluhm

#6256

SOMETHING IS ON THE HORIZON

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)

The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before… What is possible is to not see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you. And you begin to grasp what it was you missed, like Moses in the cleft of the rock, watching God’s [back] fade in the distance.

So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold. Wonder. There will be time enough for running. For rushing. For worrying. For pushing. For now, stay. Wait. Something is on the horizon. 

-- Jan L. Richardson in “Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas”

#6255

HOPES AND FEARS ARE MET IN CHRIST

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”  (Matthew 1:23 NKJV)

As we journey through the Advent season, the familiar carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem" brings a profound message to our hearts. One line, in particular, resonates deeply: "the hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight." This line beautifully encapsulates the essence of what many of us experience -- both hope and fear.

In this season of anticipation and reflection, we are reminded that Jesus Christ, our Immanuel, is the one who meets us in our deepest needs. He is the fulfillment of our hopes and the answer to our fears. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem was not just a historical event; it was the divine intervention that brought hope to a weary world and dispelled the darkness of fear.

As we face our own hopes and fears, we can find solace in knowing that Jesus understands our struggles. He came to be with us, to walk alongside us, and to carry our burdens. In Him, we find the assurance that our hopes are not in vain and our fears can be laid to rest.

This Advent, let us bring our hopes and fears to Christ, trusting that He will meet us where we are. Let us find comfort in His presence and strength in His love. May we experience the peace and joy that come from knowing that in Jesus, all our hopes and fears are met. 

-- SOUND BITES Ministry™, compiled from a variety of sources 

#6254