Luke pinpoints Jesus’ birth from the moment Caesar Augustus called for a census. This began a chain of events that led Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem where Jesus was born. But what of Augustus? When Jesus was born, how was he occupying his time? Augustus was consumed...

God loved us so much that He sent Jesus to grow up to be a man and die for the sins of people. Because of Him, we can be part of God’s family. This is true no matter who we are or what we have done. He offers us the opportunity to be part of His family in the same way...

The Bible urges us to remember how many people do not realize that God loved the world so much that He sent Jesus, so we can have everlasting life and freedom from the burden of sin. He brings meaning and purpose to our lives. God’s heart beats with compassion for...

God gives us gifts that last. They help us today and continue to bless us throughout our lives and into eternity. We see this principle in His gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus told His disciples that when He returned to Heaven, He would send the Holy Spirit who would...

Looking at the world, we wonder how many of today’s leaders will still be in power a year from now. In five years? Who will fall, and how will they fall? Some will remain in power for years, others for just months or weeks. As Gabriel announced to Mary, Jesus, too,...

Everyone who heard the shepherds talk about the birth of Jesus was filled with wonder. But Mary reacted differently, treasuring and pondering these things. The shepherds were not wrong to express joy or to react in such a visible way. But perhaps Mary had a sense that...

Some think of Jesus’ birth as a myth, just a story. But the Bible makes clear that it is true, a first-hand report from “eyewitnesses.” The Greek word, used here for the only time in the Bible, means seeing with our own eyes. Often used in medicine, it was a word...