Overview
In the eighth episode of The Gathering Podcast, you will hear from Pastor George Clerie interviewed by Peter Varberg on the topic of Christmas. George and Peter discuss the impacts of Covid on our Christmas traditions, and the opportunities it affords us to hit reset this year. 2020 is an opportunity to refresh our understanding of Christmas, and what we allow to take our attention in relation to Christmas. It's a great discussion you don't want to miss.
Intro Discussion - 0:00
A Russian Christmas - 4:30
Christmas Texts - 8:00
- John 1:1-5 & 14: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
- The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
- Matthew 1:20-23: But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Key Truths from the Text:
- 11:24 Truth #1- Jesus the Word (Logos) God fully conceived and fully expressed
- 15:30 Truth #2- Jesus (the Word) became flesh (fully human)
- 18:45 Truth #3 - Jesus came to be God with us. He didn't swing by for a visit but he made his dwelling.
- 24:06 Truth #4 You saw Jesus, you saw God- He is Awe-inspiring, Christmas should be a time of awe
Key Takeaways from the Text:
- 29:21 #1 Salvation "God Saves"
- 31:37 #2 Identity
- 37:36 #3 Courage
- 40:07 #4 Mission
43:28- Analogy of Bill Gates
Resources:
BibleProject Videos:
Luke 1-2
Heaven & Earth